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REFERENCE  S. 

I. 

Alms  Houses  founded  by  Mr.  Raymond. 

2. 

Do.  called  St.  Bartholomew  s  Hospital. 

3- 

The  Free  School. 

4- 

The  Quakers  Meeting. 

5- 

Alms  Houses  in  the  Church  Yard. 

6. 

The  Church  and  Church  Yard. 

7- 

Alms  Houses  at  West  Mills. 

8. 

The  Globe  Inn. 

9- 

Alms  Houses. 

lO. 

The  Baptist  Meeting. 

1 1. 

Egypt. 

12. 

The  Independent  Meeting. 

13- 

The  Castle  Inn. 

14. 

The  Pelican  Inn. 

15- 

The  Kings  Arms  Inn. 

16. 

The  Road  to  Shaw  House. 

17. 

Marsh  Lane. 

18. 

Remains  of  Jack  of  Newbury  s  House. 

J9- 

The  Presbyterian  Meeting. 

20. 

The  Rector  s  House. 

21. 

The  Bridge. 

22. 

The  Old  Guild  Hall. 

■=3- 

The  New  Town  House. 

24, 

The  Little  Lane. 

2  5- 

The  Quakers  Burial  Ground. 

26. 

Alms  Houses. 

27. 

The  Work  House. 

28. 

Ths  Market  Cross. 

29. 

The  Chapel  Houses. 

WesrMi 


To  face  Title. 


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PAflKEH  A  CO,  DTHO.  OXFORD. 


THE  HISTORY 


OF 


THE.  ANCIENT  TOWN  AND  BOROUGH 


OF 


NEWBURY, 


IN   THE 


COUNTY    OF    BEKKS. 


BY 


WALTER  MONEY,  F.S.A. 

LOCAL  SECRETARY  OF  THE  SOCIETY   OF  ANTIQUARIES   OF  LONDON    FOR 

BERKSHIRE,   AND  HON.  SEC.   NEWBURY   DISTRICT   FIELD  CLUB. 

AUTHOR   OF    "BATTLES   OF   NEWBURY,"    "CHURCH   GOODS 

IN    BERKSHIRE,"  &C. 


lp>arf?er  an&  Co. 

OXFORD,  AND   6  SOUTHAMPTON-STREET, 
STRAND,   LONDON. 

1887. 


PREFACE. 


'T^HE  following  work  is  the  result  of  Several  years 
■*■  spent  in  collecting  material  to  iHustrate  the 
History  of  the  Borough  of  Newbury,  with- which  the 
author  has  been  so  many  years  connected. 

The  ground  which  the  book  covers  it  is  believed 
will  be  found  to  be  unoccupied  by  any  existing  book, 
but  at  the  same  time  this  subject  is  one  which 
the  author  trusts  will  be  thought  deserving  of  the 
somewhat  extensive  treatment  with  which  he  has 
dealt  with  it. 

Berkshire  may  be  said  to  be  much  behind  the 
majority  of  our  counties  in  respect  of  County  and 
Borough  history,  which  has  for  the  most  part  been 
accomplished  very  superficially,  and  consequently, 
in  general,  with  more  or  less  inaccuracy.  It  does 
not  possess  a  thick  folio  like  Atkyns'  Glouces- 
tershire, which  was  published  in  171 2,  and  again 
in  1768,  nor  the  three  folios  comprising  Manning's 
Surrey,  issued  1804-14,  nor  the  six  folios  like  Sir 
Richard  Colt  Hoare's  Wiltshire,  issued  in  1822-44, 
nor  yet  the  four  comely  volumes  like  Lipscomb's 
Buckinghamshire,  completed  in  1847. 

Against  these  Berkshire  has  only  to  set  a  very 
thin  quarto  confined  to  the  Hundred  of  Wanting, 
compiled  by  the  late  Mr.  Clarke  in  1824  ;  the  Col- 
lections towards  a  parochial  history  of  Berks  formed 
by  Edward  Rowe  Mores  in  the  last  century ;  a 
small  volume  relating  to  the  Hundred  of  Compton, 


iv  PREFACE. 

and  another  to  that  of  Bray,  with  a  few  other  minor 
pubHcations.  Practically  the  only  books  to  which 
the  Berkshire  resident  who  desires  to  know  any- 
thing of  his  own  district  can  turn  are  the  few  pages 
given  to  the  county  in  Lyson's  "  Magna  Britannia," 
1813,  or  in  Britton  and  Brayley's  "Beauties  of 
England  and  Wales"  of  1801.  Of  course  he  may 
go  back  to  the  pages  of  the  great  Camden,  who 
compiled  his  work  at  the  close  of  Elizabeth's  reign, 
or  to  the  church  notes  of  the  indefatigable  anti- 
quarian and  principal  labourer  for  Berkshire,  Elias 
Ashmole  ;  but  neither  in  the  more  recent  compila- 
tions nor  in  the  earlier  attempts  will  the  student  find 
that  the  subject  has  been  treated  with  the  detail  it 
deserves  ^ 

And  as  regards  boroughs,  not  much  has  been 
done.  Neither  Coate's  nor  Man's  works  can  be 
said  to  be  at  all  satisfactory  as  regards  Reading, 
though  for  the  time  at  which  they  were  compiled 
they  compare  well  with  other  monographs.  Both 
Messrs.  Tighe  and  Davis,  and  Mr.  Hedges,  have 
done  something  more  satisfactory  for  Windsor  and 
Wallingford  respectively,  having  far  greater  oppor- 
tunities, and  these  works  constitute  the  main  sources 
from  which  we  can  obtain  authentic  and  satisfactory 
information  on  corporate  history  and  local  topo- 
graphy. Abingdon,  with  its  famous  Abbey,  is  still 
without  a  history,  and  so  is  Faringdon,  unless  we 
except  an  imperfect  account  of  the  latter  town, 
published  by  Stone,  at  the  close  of  the  last  century. 
While  last,  not  least,   Newbury,  which   now  gives 

•  Since  the  above  was  written,  a  History  of  Berks,  by  Lt.-Col.  C.  Cooper 
King,  F.G.S.,  has  been  publshed,  as  one  of  a  series  of  popular  county 
histories. 


PREFACE.  V 

its  name  to  a  Parliamentary  Division  of  the  County, 
is  dependent  on  a  single  book  issued  in  1839. 

The  fact  is  the  last  half  century  has  seen  a  great 
revolution  taking  place  in  the  character  of  historical 
knowledge  and  research,  and  such  labours  are  now 
more  appreciated  and  encouraged  than  formerly. 
Chronicles  either  not  printed  at  all,  or  printed  from 
bad  and  interpolated  texts,  so  as  to  be  often  very 
misleading,  have  now  been  properly  edited,  each 
with  full  indices ;  besides  which  a  great  work  has 
been  going  on  for  some  years  at  the  Public  Record 
Office,  and  in  the  MS.  departments  of  other  institu- 
tions, in  the  arranging  and  calendaring  the  material 
on  which  history  has  to  rest.  At  the  same  time 
many  literary  societies  have  added  their  quota  to 
our  historical  knowledge  by  printing  many  an  over- 
looked document,  or  bringing  to  bear  upon  it  valu- 
able criticism,  and  by  recording  in  an  accurate 
manner  the  archaeological  discoveries  which  take 
place. 

Newbury,  situated  as  it  is  near  to  the  southern 
confines  of  the  county,  is  connected  with  a  district 
respecting  which  very  little  systematic  historical  in- 
vestigation has  taken  place,  and  yet  it  will  be  seen 
from  the  following  summary  that  in  the  times  of 
the  Romans  the  district  is  brought  into  note,  and 
that  immediately  after  the  Conquest  we  have  several 
references  to  it,  and  these  of  an  interesting  kind, 
exhibiting  in  detail,  and  so  illustrating  in  a  remark- 
able way,  the  close  connection  which  existed  at  this 
period  between  England  and  Normandy.  More- 
over, now  that  attention  is  drawn  so  much  to  the 
history  of  our  tithes  and  endowments,  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  minute  particulars  here  collected  re- 


VI  PREFACE. 


latlng  to  the  foundation  of  the  Church  of  Newbury 
are  interesting  and  important  links  in  the  great  chain 
of  historical  truth  respecting  the  private.and  personal 
grants  of  such  endowments,  many  of  which  can  be 
traced  consecutively  from  those  early  times  to  the 
present  day.  Though  we  know  but  little  of  Bernard 
of  Neuf  March6,  who  granted  the  tithes  of  Speen  to 
Aufay,  and  less  still,  perhaps,  of  Ernulf  of  Hesding, 
who  in  founding  a  church  at  Newbury  granted  the 
tithes  to  the  Church  of  Pr^aux,  there  can  be  no 
question  from  the  evidence  given  that  they  were 
personal  and  free  gifts,  absolutely  independent  of 
any  state  or  even  of  royal  favour. 

Passing  on  from  the  Conquest,  the  incident  of  the 
siege  of  Newbury  during  King  Stephen's  reign 
illustrates  the  internal  wars  of  the  kingdom  during 
the  twelfth  century,  in  the  same  way  that  the  two 
battles  of  Newbury  illustrate  the  troubles  of  the 
country  in  Charles  I.'s  reign.  And  throughout  it 
will  be  seen  that  many  incidents  of  which  Newbury 
was  the  scene  bring  before  us  illustrious  persons  of 
every  century  from  the  twelfth  onwards. 

In  its  municipal  history  Newbury  affords  many 
illustrations  of  great  value  shewing  the  process  of 
municipal  institutions,  and  the  jurisdiction  of  muni- 
cipal courts  ;  and  though  the  records  only  go  back 
to  King  James  I.'s  reign,  it  will  be  seen  that  during 
the  seventeenth  and  succeeding  century  they  are 
very  rich,  referring  to  many  matters  not  only  of 
local  interest  but  of  considerable  importance  in  the 
general  study  of  the  social  history  of  the  country. 
It  has  been  impossible  satisfactorily  to  classify  these 
records,  and  they  are  therefore  given  in  one  chrono- 
logical series. 


PREFACE.  vii 

In  the  course  of  the  arrangement  of  this  work  for 
the  press,  the  author  has  found  his  material  so  much 
in  excess  of  the  limits  assigned  to  the  volume,  that 
he  has  been  compelled  to  omit  some  portions  of  the 
parochial  and  other  records,  such  as  copious  extracts 
from  the  Registers,  &c.,  which  he  had  prepared  for 
this  purpose,  but  which  may  probably  find  publicity 
in  some  other  form.  On  the  other  hand,  it  may  be 
thought  that  the  later  chronological  annals  are  un- 
necessarily diffuse,  and  in  some  cases  too  unimpor- 
tant to  chronicle ;  but  the  author  trusts  he  may  be 
excused  if  he  has  given  too  much  attention  to  this 
portion  of  his  subject,  on  account  of  the  local 
interest  which  is  attached  to  these  simple  records, 
which  are  so  much  interwoven  with  the  general 
history  of  the  town. 

The  pleasing  task  remains  of  returning  sincere 
thanks  for  many  acts  of  kindness,  assistance,  and 
encouragement  received  from  various  friends  during 
the  progress  of  this  undertaking,  to  all  of  whom  the 
author  desires  gratefully  to  return  those  acknow- 
ledgments which  are  so  justly  due. 

Newbury, 
1887. 


LIST    OF    SUBSCRIBERS. 


The  Worshipful  the  Mayor  of  Newbury  (Benjamin  Smith,  Esq.). 

Absalom,  Mr.  Alderman,  J. P.,  Newbury. 

Adey,  Mr.  Alderman,  J. P.,  Newbury. 

Adey,  Mr.  Joseph,  Newbury. 

Allen,  T.  W.,  Esq.,  Whitway  House,  Newbury. 

Antiquaries  of  London,  Society  of,  Burlington  House. 

Arbuthnot,  Sir  Alexander  J.,  K.C.S.I.,  Newtown  House,  Newbury. 

Asprey,  James,  Esq.,  Sandleford  Grove,  Newbury. 

Atkins,  Rev.  J.,  M.A.,  LL.B.,  The  Grammar  School,  Newbury. 

Atlee,  Miss,  Salisbury  Terrace,  Newbury. 

Baily,  Lawrence  R.,  Esq.,  Allerton  Hall,  Woolton,  Lancashire. 

Balfour,  Blayney  Townley,  Esq.,  Townley  Hall,  Drogheda,  Ireland. 

Bance,  John,  Esq.,  Newbury. 

Banting,  Rev.  W.  Bickham,  Little  Brickhill  Vicarage,  Bletchley. 

Barfield,  Samuel,  Esq.,  67  Porchester  Terrace,  London. 

Baring,  Viscount,  M.P.,  Stratton  Park,  near  Micheldever. 

Barnes,  J.  B.,  Esq.,  Castle  House,  Speen. 

Barnes,  John,  Esq.,  Kingsclere,  Newbury. 

Barnwell,  E.  L.,  Esq.,  Melksham  House,  Wilts. 

Barton,  Rev.  T.,  Donnington  Square,  Newbury. 

Batten,  John,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  Aldon,  Yeovil. 

Baxendale,  Mrs.  Lloyd,  Greenham  Lodge,  Newbury.  , 

Bazett,  A.  Campbell,  Esq.,  Newbury. 

Belcher,  W.  H.,  Esq.,  Newbury  (2  copies). 

Benyon,  Richard,  Esq.,  Englefield  House,  Reading  (5  copies). 

Bew,  W.  H.,  Esq.,  the  Poplars,  Newbury. 

Billings,  Frederick,  Esq.,  Orpington  Manor,  Kent. 

Bingham,  A.  J.,  Esq.,  Nalder  Hill  House,  Newbury. 

Bingham,  R.,  Esq.,  5  Bolton-street,  Piccadilly,  W. 

Birch,  Robert,  Esq.,  L.R.C.P.  Lond.,  The  Litten,  Newbury. 

Bishop,  James,  Esq.,  Hampstead  Park,  Newbury. 

Blacket,  W.  J.,  Esq.,  Newbury  (6  copies). 

Blakesley,  Geo.  Holmes,  Esq.,  M.A.,  13  Old  Buildings,  Lincoln's  Inn. 

Blandy,  W.  F.,  Esq.,  i  Friar-street,  Reading. 

Boase,  Rev.  Charles  W.,  Exeter  College,  Oxford. 

Boase,  Geo.  Clement,  Esq.,  15  Queen  Anne's  Gate,  Westminster. 

Bosley,  Mr.  J.  L.,  7  York  Terrace,  York  Square,  Stepney,  S.E. 


X  LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS. 

Boulnois,  W.  A.,  Esq.,  F.R.I. B. A.,  Inhurst  House,  Basingstoke. 
Bouverie,  Edward  Pleydell,  Esq.,  Manor  House,  Market  Lavington, 

Wilts. 
Boyer,  Mr.  George,  Newbury. 
Boyer,  Mr.  William,  Brimpton,  Reading. 
Bradshaw,  Rev.  S.  Y.  B.,  South  Shore  Vicarage,  Blackpool. 
Brent,  Cecil,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  37  Palace  Grove,  Bromley,  Kent. 
Brewster,  Wm.  H.,  Jun.,  Esq.,  Boston,  U.S.A. 
Brown,  Alfred  D.,  Esq.,  Newburyport,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 
Brown,  John  Coffin  Jones,  Esq.,  Boston,  U.S.A. 
Brown,  Rev.  J.  T.,  St.  Paul's  Rectory,  Wokingham. 
Bruton,  E.  G.,  Esq.,  Diocesan  Surveyor,  F.S.A.,  Oxford. 
Bruxner,  Mrs.  H.,  Holmesland,  Botley,  Hants. 

Bulkley,  Rev.  E.,  Kingsclere- Woodlands  Vicarage,  Brimpton,  Reading. 
Bunbury,  The  late  H.  M.,  Esq.,  Marlstone  House,  Newbury. 
Bunny,  J.  Brice,  Esq.,  Newbury. 

Burdett,  Sir  Francis,  Bart.,  Ramsbury  Manor,  Hungerford. 
Burridge,  Rev.  T.  W.,  Eastbury  Vicarage,  Lamborne. 
Burrough,  The  Misses,  Donnington  Square,  Newbury. 
Burrows,  Professor  Montagu,  All  Souls  College,  Oxford. 
Bute,   The   Most   Hon.   the   Marquis   of,  per   J.   G.   Godwin,   Esq., 
83  Eccleston  Square,  London. 

Campbell-Gill,  Rev.  Dugald,  The  Cottage,  Midgham,  Reading. 
Carnarvon,  the  Earl  of,  Highclere  Castle,  Newbury  (6  copies). 
Cary,  Mr.  Alphonse,  Newbury. 
Chappelow,  John  S.,  Esq.,  10  Lincoln's  Inn  Fields. 
Chatteris,  W.  P.  B.,  Esq.,  Sandleford  Priory,  Newbury. 
Chatteris,  Mrs.,  Sandleford  Priory,  Newbury. 
Cherry,  Geo.  C,  Esq.,  Denford,  Hungerford. 
Child-Dampier,  Mrs.  Pitthouse,  Brimpton,  Reading. 
Chute,  Chalmer  W.,  Esq.,  The  Vyne,  Basingstoke. 
Clothworkers,  The  Worshipful  Company  of,  London,  per  Owen  Roberts' 
Esq.,  M.A.,  F.S.A.  ' 

Clutterbuck,  Rev.  R.  H.,  Knight's  Enham  Rectory,  Andover. 
Cole,  W.  H.,  Esq.,  West  Woodhay  House,  Newbury. 
Coles,  Rev.  Einier  T.,  Ashmansworth,  Newbury. 
Coldicutt,  F.  J.,  Esq.,  Porchester  Villas,  Newbury, 
pallier.  Rev.  Canon,  F.S.A.,  the  Vicarage,  Andover. 
/ColUns,  J.  Churton,  Esq.,  61  Torrington  Square,  London. 
Cooper,  Mrs.,  15  Stanley  Crescent,  Notting  Hill,  W. 
Cosburn,  Mr.  G.  J.,  Newbury. 

Cowper,  W.  J.,  Esq.,  Donnington  Square,  Newbury. 
Cowslade,  Frederick,  Esq.,  Erleigh,  Reading. 
Cox,  Mr.  E.,  Cheap-street,  Newbury. 
Cox,  Richard,  Esq.,  M.D.,  Theale,  Reading. 


LIST  OF   SUBSCRIBERS.  xi 

Craven,  The  Countess  of,  Ashdown  Park,  Shrivenham. 
Cunnington  and  Fitch,  Messrs.,  Newbury. 

Dasent,  Arthur  Irwin,  Esq.,  Tower  Hill,  Ascot  (2  copies). 

Davenport,  T.  M.,  Esq.,  County  Hall,  Oxford. 

Davies,  Rev.  J.  Sylvester,  Vicarage,  Enfield  Highway,  Middlesex. 

Davies,  Mr.  P.  E.,  Newbury. 

Davis,  Lt.-Col.,  F.S.A.,  3rd  Batt.  Queen's  Royal  West  Surrey  Regiment, 

Greenhills,  Tilford,  Farnham. 
Davis,  Alexander,  Esq.,  Highwood  Villa,  Shaw,  Newbury. 
Davis,  R.  Archer,  Esq.,  Abbey  Wells,  East  Woodhay,  Newbury. 
Dawson,  Hon.  Anthony,  Forberry  Grove,  Hungerford. 
Day,  The  late  W.  Ansell,  Esq.,  Lyndhurst,  Hendon,  Middlesex. 
Dewe,  William,  Parsonage,  Hampstead  Norreys,  Newbury. 
Dowdeswell,  Geo.  Morley,  Esq.,  Q.C.,  Recorder  of  Newbury,  i  Har- 

court  Buildings,  Temple. 
Drew,  Rev.  Joseph,  10  Cecil  Square,  Margate. 
Dreweatt,  T.,  Esq.,  Newbury. 

Edmonds,  Mr.  W.,  Northbrook-street,  Newbury. 

Edwards,  Rev.  R.  C,  Speen  Vicarage. 

Edwards,  Septimus,  Esq.,  Kingsclere,  Newbury. 

Edwards,  Job,  Esq.,  Amesbury,  Wilts. 

Elliott,  E.  J.,  Esq.,  Christchurch,  New  Zealand. 

Elliott,  Mr.  Henry,  Argyle-road,  Newbury. 

Elliott,  Mr.  Samuel,  Newbury. 

Arlington,  Rev.  J.  L.,  Midgham  Vicarage,  Reading. 

Erskine-Zwilchenbart,  Mrs.,  Dean  Wood,  Newbury. 

Exeter,  The  Very  Rev.  B.  M.  Cowie,  Dean  of,  the  Deanery,  Exeter. 

Eyles,  George  C,  Esq.,  Acre  House,  Andover. 

Eyre,  The  late  Charles,  Esq.,  Welford  Park,  Newbury. 

Eyston,  Mrs.,  Hendred  House,  Wantage. 

Fellowes,  T.  Abdy,  Esq.,  Donnington  Priory,  Newbury. 

Field  Club,  Newbury,  a  member  of. 

Fielder,    Frederick,    Esq.,    Whitefield    House,    Ashton-on- Mersey, 

Cheshire. 
Fisher,  Richard,  Esq.,  Winterborne  House,  Newbury. 
Flint,  Mr.  Councillor,  Nawbury. 

Fox,  Rev.  Edward,  Upper  Heyford  Rectory,  Banbury. 
Francklyn,  Mrs.,  Speen  Hill  Lodge,  Newbury. 
Franks,  Augustus  Wollaston,  Esq.,  F.R.S.,  F.S.A.,  British  Museum. 
Freebody,  Mr.  James,  Newbury. 
Freeman,  Mr.  James,  Stockcross,  Newbury. 
Freeman,  Mr.  Benson  F.,  Newbury. 
Freeman,  Mr.  T.  J.,  Speenhamland,  Newbury. 


xii  LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS. 

Gardiner,  Rev.  E.  I.,  Rectory,  Newbury  (2  copies). 

Garry,  Rev.  Canon,  St.  Mary's,  Reading. 

Gibbs,  Rev.  J.  G.,  St.  Mary's,  Speenhamland. 

Gibbs,  Robert,  Esq.,  Aylesbury. 

Gillmore,  Mrs.,  Herborough  House,  Newbury  (4  copies). 

Godding,  Miss  E.  E.,  Newbury  (4  copies). 

Godwin,  H.  Burke,  Esq.,  Town  Clerk,  Newbury. 

Godwin,  Miss,  The  Lawn,  Speen  Hill,  Newbury. 

Gotley,  Rev.  G.  Henniker,  Tysoe,  Warwick. 

Gould,  Mr.  Edward,  Cheap-street,  Newbury. 

Graham,  Colonel  Sir  Lumley,  Bart.,  Arlington  Manor,  Newbury. 

Gray,  James,  Esq.,  Hatcham  Lodge,  New  Cross-road,  S.E. 

Gudgeon,  George,  Esq.,  High-street,  Winchester. 

Guilding,  Rev.  J.  M.,  St.  Lawrence's,  Reading. 

Gurney,  Thos.,  Esq.,  Hartwell,  Aylesbury. 

Hall,  Mr.  Councillor,  Speenhamland. 

Hamblin,  Mr.  Isaac,  Speenhamland. 

Hanson,  Sir  Reginald,  Kt.,  Lord  Mayor,  The  Mansion  House,  London. 

Harnett,  Rev.  F.  W.,  St.  George's  Vicarage,  Wolverton,  Bucks. 

Hattatt,  Mr.  J.,  Marsh  Cottage,  Newbury. 

Hawkins,  T.  E.,  Esq.,  Springhill,  St.  Mary  Bourne,  Andover. 

Hawkins,  Mr.  T.,  The  Bridge,  Newbury  (12  copies). 

Hawkins-Black,  E.  B.,  Esq.,  The  Chantry,  Newbury. 

Hedges,  Kirby  Hedges,  Esq.,  the  Castle,  Wallingford. 

Hickman,  Mr.  Alderman,  J. P.,  Newbury. 

Hill,  Alexander  Tisdall,  Esq.,  Arlington,  Surbiton  Hill  Park,  Surrey. 

Hill,  Mr.,  Norman-road,  Englefield,  Reading. 

Hiscock,  Mrs.,  Ashley  House,  Speenhamland. 

Holding,  J.  Carter,  Esq.,  Elm  Grove,  Kingsclere. 

Holding,  Wm.,  Esq.,  Burghclere  Manor,  Newbury. 

Holmes,  Henry,  Esq.,  10  New  Square,  Lincoln's  Inn. 

Hooper,  Rev.  Richard,  Upton  Rectory,  Didcot. 

Hoskyns,  Rev.  Sir  John,  Bart.,  Aston-Tyrrold  Rectory,  Wallingford. 

Howard,  The  Lady  Louisa,  Hazelby,  East  Woodhay,  Newbury. 

Howe,  Mr.  T.  B.,  Newbury. 

"  Incognitas,"  Newbury  (6  copies). 
Ingram,  Mr.  J.  B.,  Newbury. 

Jackson,  Rev.  Canon,  F.S.A.,  Leigh  Delamere,  Chippenham. 

Jackson,  Mr.  Alderman,  J. P.,  Newbury. 

Jackson,  Mr.  Councillor  Alfred,  Newbury. 

James,  Mr.  E.,  Pound-street,  Newbury. 

Johnson,  Rev.  C.  A.,  Enborne  Rectory,  Newbury. 

Johnson,  Mrs.,  Enborne  Rectory,  Newbury. 


LIST  OF  SUBSCRIBERS.  xiii 

Jones,  Professor  T.  Rupert,  F.R.S.,  F.G.S.,  lo  Uverdale-road,  King's- 

road,  Chelsea,  S.W. 
Jones,  David  Rogers,  Esq.,  Newbury. 
Jones,  Mr.  W.  Garratt,  Kintbury,  Hungerford. 
Joyce,  Thomas,  Esq.,  M.D.,  Cranbrook,  Kent. 

Kelsey,  John,  Esq.,  i  North  Hill  Terrace,  Highgate. 

Kemm,  W.  Cove,  Esq.,  Amesbury,  Wilts. 

Kemp,  Mr.  J.  W.  H.,  Newbury. 

King,  Lt.-Col.  C.  Cooper,  Kingsclear,  Camberley. 

King,  John,  Esq.,  Beedon  House,  Newbury. 

Kingsmill,  W.  Howley,  Esq.,  Sydmonton  Court,  Newbury. 

Kintbury  Working  Men's  Club,  per  Mr.  W.  Garratt  Jones. 

Kirby,  Rev.  Thos.  F.,  The  College,  Winchester. 

Knight,  Mr.  Councillor  G.  Mitchell,  Newbury. 

Knight,  Mr.  Councillor  Stephen,  Newbury. 

Lachlan,  Miss,  53  Gloucester  Gardens,  Hyde  Park. 

Lake,  Benjamin  Greene,  Esq.,  The  Priory,  Orpington,  Kent. 

Langley,  Miss  E.,  37  and  39  London-street,  Reading  (2  copies). 

Langshaw,  Rev.  T.,  Silchester  Rectory,  Reading. 

Lee,   Rev.  Frederick   George,   D.D.,   F.S.A.,   All   Saints'  Vicarage, 

Lambeth. 
Lenthall,  F.  Kyffin,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  Besselsleigh  Manor,  Abingdon. 
Lewendon,  Mr.  W.  E.,  Speenhamland. 

Lincoln,  The  Very  Rev.  W.  J.  Butler,  Dean  of,  the  Deariery,  Lincoln. 
Lloyd,  Rev.  F.  LI.,  Aldworth  Rectory,  Reading. 
London,  The  Library  of  the  Corporation  of  the  City  of. 
Long,  Mr.  Councillor,  Newbury. 

Longmore,  Rev.  P.  A.,  Hermitage  Vicarage,  Newbury. 
Louch,  T.  Quekett,  Esq.,  Donnington  Square,  Newbury. 
Lovell,  Mr.  Councillor,  Newbury. 

Lowsley,  Luke,  Esq.,  Manor  House,  Hampstead  Norreys,  Newbury. 
Lowsley,  Major,  R.E.,  Limerick. 

Luck,  The  Rev.  Canon,  St.  Mary's,  East  Hendred,  Wantage. 
Ludlow-Bruges,  H.  H.,  Esq.,  St.  John's  College,  Oxford. 
Lyon,  Frank  H.,  Esq.,  M.D.,  Thatcham,  Newbury. 

Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  Library  of. 

Mallet,  Gilbert,  Esq.,  Newbury. 

Martin,  Charles  Trice,  Esq.,  B.A.,  F.S.A.,  Public  Record  Office. 

Martin,  George,  Esq.,  D.Mus.  (St.  Paul's  Cathedral),  4  Amen  Court, 

E.C. 
Martin,  Rev.  H.,  Thatcham  House,  Newbury. 
Mason,  J.  H.,  Esq.,  J.P.,  Newbury. 
'  Mason,  John,  jun.,  Esq.,  Newbury. 
Matthews,  T.,  Esq.,  Uplands,  Newbury. 


xiv  LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS. 

Matthews,  G.  A.,  Esq.,  Ivy  Villa,  Beulah  Hill,  Norwood,  Surrey. 

Mecey,  J.  W.,  Esq.,  Thatcham,  Newbury. 

Merriman,  R.  W.,  Esq.,  Marlborough. 

Midwinter,  Mr.  Councillor,  Newbury. 

Money,  J.  H.,  Esq.,  The  Shrubbery,  Newbury. 

Money,  Miss,  The  Dene,  Donnington,  Newbury. 

Morgan,  Rev.  H.  ThornhiU,  Crowthorne  Vicarage,  Wokingham. 

Morrell,  Geo.  Herbert,  Esq.,  Headington  Hill  Hall,  Oxford. 

Morrison,  Robert,  Esq.,  Glendale  Lodge,  Newbury. 

Mount,  W.  G.,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Wasing  Place,  Reading. 

Mowbray,  Sir  John  R.,  Bart.,  M.P.,  P.C,  D.C.L.,  Warrenes  Wood, 

Mortimer,  Reading. 
Mulhngs,  John,  Esq.,  Cirencester. 

Nash,  Walter  L.,  Esq.,  The  Ham,  Wantage. 

Nash,  Mr.  J.  T.,  Newbury. 

Nelson,  The  Hon.  and  Rev.  J.  Horatio,  Shaw  Rectory,  Newbury. 

Nelson,  John  Eyre,  Esq.,  Shaw  Rectory,  Newbury. 

New  College,  Oxford,  The  Rev.  J.  E.  Sewell,  D.D.,  The  Warden  of. 

New,  Mr.  George,  Bartholomew-street,  Newbury. 

Newburyport,  U.S.A.,  The  Public  Library  of,  per  E.  S.  Mozeley,  Esq. 

Newton,  Robert,  Esq.,  Dunston  Lodge,  Thatcham,  Newbury. 

Norfolk,  His  Grace  The  Duke  of,  Arundel  Castle,  Sussex. 

Nundy,  J.  T.,  Esq.,  Newbury. 

Nutley,"  Charles,  Esq.,  Newbury. 

Osgood,  Mr.  John,  The  Bridge,  Newbury. 
Oxford,  The  Lord  Bishop  of,  Cuddesdon  Palace. 
Oxford  Architectural  and  Historical  Society. 

Packer,  H.  W.,  Esq.,  c.o.  Jno.  Packer,  Esq.,  Newbury. 

Padbury,  Mr.  G.  W.,  Thatcham,  Newbury. 

Palmer,  Montagu,  Esq.,  M.R.C.S.,  Manor  House,  Speenhamland. 

Parry-Webley,  Mrs.  Manariefed,  Boncath,  South  Wales. 

Phillips,  WiUiam,  Esq.,  15  Woodhurst-road,  Acton,  W. 

Pile,  Mr.  Thos.  P.,  Salisbury  Terrace,  Newbury. 

Pinniger,  J.  Cockburn,  Esq.,  Clerk  of  the  Peace,  Newbury. 

Piatt,  John,  Esq.,  High  Constable,  Hungerford. 

Plenty,  E.  P.,  Esq.,  Burghclere,  Newbury. 

Plumbe,  Rowland,  Esq.,  F.R.I. B. A.,  13  Fitzroy  Square,  London,  W. 

Pocock,  Miss  Clara,  Yarborough  Lodge,  St.  Edward's-road,  Southsea. 

Poole-Barlow,  Rev.  T.  G.,  St.  John's  Vicarage,  Newbury. 

Poore,  Benjamin  Perley,  Esq.,  Indian  Hill,  near  Newburyport,  U.S.A. 

Portal,  Melville,  Esq.,  Laverstoke  House,  Hants. 

Portal,  Rev.  Canon,  Burghclere  Rectory,  Newbury. 

Povey,  Rev.  R.,  Central  Falls,  Rhode  Island,  U.S.A. 


LIST   OF   SUBSCRIBERS.  XV 

Powell,  George,  Esq.,  30  Moorgate-st.,  London,  E.C. 
Powis,  The  Earl  of,  45  Berkeley  Square,  London. 

Queen's  College,  Oxford,  Library  of. 

Randall,  The  Ven.  Archdeacon,  Birchfield  House,  Langley,  Slough. 

Ravenor,  Mr.  Councillor,  Speenhamland. 

Reid,  Herbert  J.,  Esq.,  F.S.A.,  Donnington,  Newbury. 

Ricardo,  Capt.  G.  Craven,  Donnington  Castle  House,  Newbury. 

Ridley,  Rev.  N.  J.,  HoUington  House,  Newbury. 

Riley,  Rev.  Canon,  St.  Joseph's,  Speenhamland. 

Roake,  Mr.  C,  Bartholomew-street,  Newbury. 

Robertson,  Mrs.,  Hollingbourne,  Kent. 

Robinson,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Woolton  Hill  Rectory,  Newbury 

Rogerson,  Edward,  Esq.,  Kingsdown,  Newbury. 

Rolfe,  Mr.  R.  W.,  Arundel,  Sussex. 

Royston,  J.  C,  Esq.,  3  Vere-road,  Ditchling-road,  Brighton. 

Russell,  Sir  George,  M.P.,  Swallowfield  Park,  Reading. 

Rutland,  James,  Esq.,  The  Gables,  Taplow,  Maidenhead. 

Ryott,  F.  E.,  Esq.,  M.D.,  F.R.C.S.,  J. P.,  Newbury. 

Salisbury,  The  Lord  Bishop  of,  The  Palace,  Salisbury. 

Selby,  Walford  D.,  Esq.,  Public  Record  Office,  London. 

Sewell,  Edward,  Esq.,  Cirencester. 

Seymour,  Henry,  Esq.,  Speenhamland. 

Silver,  S.  W.,  Esq.,  The  Benhams,  Letcombe  Regis,  Wantage. 

Sim,  Col.  Edw.  Coysgarne,  R.E.,  32  James-street,  Buckingham  Gate, 

S.W. 
Skinner,  William,  Esq.,  East  Leigh,  Greenham. 
Slocock,  Charles,  Esq.,  Donnington  Lodge,  Newbury. 
Slocock,  Rev.  O.  E.,  Greenham  Vicarage,  Newbury. 
Smith,  George  Plumer,  Esq.,  231   South  Sixth-street,  Philadelphia, 

U.S.A.  (12  copies). 
Smith,  Mrs.  Walter,  Gloucester  Villas,  Richmond,  Surrey. 
Smith,  Mrs.  King,  12  Lambridge,  Bath. 
Smith,  Mr.  W.,  97  London-street,  Reading  (2  copies). 
Smithers,  Maj.-Gen.,  The  Mount,  Newbury. 
Somerset,  F.  P.,  Esq.,  Greenham  House,  Newbury. 
Somerset,  H.,  Esq.,  Newbury. 
Southby,  Arthur,  Esq.,  Springhurst,  Greenham. 
Staples,  Mr.  John,  Newbury. 

Stevens,  Joseph,  Esq.,  M.D.,  128  Oxford-road,  Reading. 
Steward-Falcon,  Rev.  R.  S.,  Sulhampstead  Rectory,  Reading. 
St.  John,  Lt.-Col.  E.  J.,  Slinfold,  Horsham,  Sussex. 
Stone,  Mr.  Councillor,  Beaconsfield,  Newbury. 
Stradling,  Mr.  Alfred,  Newbury. 


xvi  LIST  OF   SUBSCRIBERS. 

Strange,  Wm.  Jeffrys,  Esq.,  Mile  House,  Sulhampstead,  Reading. 
Strawson,  G.  F.,  Esq.,  The  Cedars,  London-road,  Newbury. 
Stuart-Crichton,  Col.,  Woolton  House,  Newbury. 
Surrey,  S.  A.,  Esq.,  London  and  County  Bank,  Newbury. 
Sutton,  Sir  Richard  F.,  Bart.,  Benham  Park,  Newbury. 
Swayne,  H.  F.,  Esq.,  The  Island,  Wilton,  Salisbury. 
Sydney,   the   Free   Public    Library,   per   Messrs.  Triibner   and   Co., 
57  Ludgate  Hill,  London. 

Taylor,  John  Okey,  Esq.,  J. P.,  Reading. 

Ternan,  Maj.-Gen.  Battle,  Speen  Hill,  Newbury. 

Terry,  Rev.  Thomas  R.,  M.A.,  F.R.A.S.,  East  Ilsley  Rectory,  Newbury. 

Teissier,  The  Rev.  Baron  de.  Bourne  House,  Newbury. 

Thomas,  J.  Blount,  Esq.,  J.P.,  Southampton. 

Thurlow,  Major,  Shaw  House,  Newbury. 

Tinkler,  John  E.,  Esq.,  Ghetham's  Library,  Manchester. 

Trott,  Rev.  T.,  Woodspeen  House,  Newbury. 

TuU,  A.  R.,  Esq.,  Crookham  House,  Newbury. 

Valpy,  R.  H.,  Esq.,  F.G.S.,  Enborne  Lodge,  Newbury. 
Vincent,  Miss,  The  Dene,  Donnington,  Newbury. 

Wallis,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Roselands,  Bucklebury,  Reading. 

Walter,  John,  Esq.,  Bearwood,  Wokingham. 

Wantage,  Lord,  V.C,  K.C.B.,  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Berks,  Lockinge 

Park,  Wantage. 
Ward,  Capt.,  R.N.,  Round  Oak,  Greenham. 
Watson,  Henry,  Esq.,  M.D.,  J.P.,  Borough  Coroner,  Newbury. 
Webb,  Doran,  Esq.,  Slough. 

Webster,  Thomas,  Esq.,  Killamarsh,  Chesterfield. 
Westminster,  The  Very  Rev.  G.  G.  Bradley,  Dean  of,  the  Deanery, 

Westminster. 
Whitehurst,  The  late  Rev.  J.,  Farnborough  Rectory,  Wantage. 
Wickham,  William,  Esq.,  Binsted-wyck,  Alton,  Hants. 
Wilder,  Frederick,  Esq.,  Purley  Court,  Reading. 
Willis,  Mr.  T.,  Bartholomew-street,  Newbury. 
Wilson,  Mr.  Alderman,  J. P.,  Newbury. 
Windsor  Castle,  The  Royal  Library. 
Wintle,  Mr.  Councillor,  Newbury. 

Witherington,  Duncan  H.,  Esq.,  i  Friar-street,  Reading. 
Woodyer,  Henry,  Esq.,  Graffam,  Guildford. 
Wroughton,  Philip,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Woolley  Park,  Wantage. 
Wyld,  Miss,  Knotmead,  Mortimer. 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I. — The  History  of  the  Town 
OF  Newbury. 

CHAPTER  I. 

The  Roman  and  English  Settlement  on  the 

River  Kennet. 

The  Roman  station  Spina  of  the  Antonine  Itinerary. — Lines  of  the 
Roman  Roads. — The  beorgh  or  hill-fortress  in  the  neighbourhood.— 
Description  of  the  supposed  locality  of  the  Roman  station. — Roman 
remains  in  and  near  Newbury. — The  Saxon  Settlement  on  the  River 
Kennet. — Traces  of  original  names. — The  names  of  places  in  the 
neighbourhood.- — The  Lot  Mead. — The  Saxon  Coins. — The  evidence 
of  the  ford. — References  to  the  name  Speen. — The  natural  advan- 
tages of  the  position. — The  new  i5«^rg-       ....     pp.3 — 19 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  Gift  of  the  Church  of  Speen  to  Aufay,  in 

Normandy,  c.  1079. 

The  first  mention  of  the  name  of  Newbury. — The  Church  at  Aufay 
on  the  river  Scie. — Bernard,  son  of  Geoffrey  of  Neuf  Marche,  grants 
the  Church  of  Speen,  the  tithes  held  by  Everard  the  Priest,  besides 
twenty  shillings  from  the  revenues  of  Newbury. — The  corroborative 
evidence  of  the  statements  made  in  the  charter  which  is  copied  by 
Orderic  Vital. — The  connection  between  the  families  of  Heugleville 
and  Neuf  Marche. —  In  1086  Humphrey  Vis-de-Lew  is  tenant  in 
capite  of  Speen. — Bernard  signs  the  King's  charter  of  gifts  to  Battle 
Abbey. —  Speen  afterwards  held  of  the  Honour  of  Brecknock. — 
The  light  the  previous  notes  throw  on  the  early  history  of  New- 
bury    pp.  20—29 

CHAPTER  III. 

Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury  to 

the  Abbey  of  Preaux  in  Normandy,  c.  1085. 

The  charter  of  William  the  Conqueror  from  the  Cartulary  of  Notre 
Dame  de  Prdaux. — Confirmation  charters  existing. —  Extracts  from 
the  Taxation  of  Pope  Nicholas  referring  to  property  held  by  the 
Abbey  of  Prdaux  in  England. — An  account  of  the  Abbey  of  Prdaux 

b 


xviii  Contents. 

and  its  endowments.— The  great  benefactor  to  Newbury,  Ernulf  OF 
Hesding.— His  early  history.— His  connection  with  England  and 
the  manors  held  by  him.— His  benefactions  to  churches.— Various 
incidents  in  Ernulf 's  life PP-  30—48 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Domesday  Survey,  a.d.  1086. 
Berkshire  in  the  Domesday  Survey.— Table  of  the  Manors  in  the 
Hundred  of  Thatcham. — Newbury  not  named,  but  Ulvritone  finds  no 
modern  representative,  and  is  in  the  hands  of  Ernulf  OF  Hesding. 
— The  neighbouring  Manors  of  Speen,  Bagnor,  and  Benham. — Notes 
on  the  Manor  of  Ulvritone,  and  the  derivation  of  its  name,  pp.  49-57 

CHAPTER  V. 
The  Gift  of  Mills  at  Newbury  to  Sandleford  Priory, 

c.  1200. 

Sandleford,  adjoining  Newbury,  founded  by  Geoffrey,  the  fourth 
Count  of  Perche,  and  the  Countess  Matilda. — The  Charter  of  Con- 
firmation.— Pedigree  of  the  family. — The  boundaries  of  the  land  of 
Sandleford. — The  Mills  at  Newbury  from  which  the  grant  was  made. 
— Various  circumstances  connected  with  the  history  of  the  Priory. 
— Present  condition  of  the  remains  of  the  Priory. — The  evidence 
derived  from  the  above  as  to  the  extent  and  status  of  the  borough  of 
Newbury  at  this  time pp.  58 — 70 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

The  Manorial  History.— The  evidence  from  the  Pipe  Rolls.— 
The  descent  of  the  property  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding. — The  family  of 
Patrick  de  Cadurcis  or  Chaworth. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — The  Siege  of  Newbury 
in  II 52. — The  circumstances  preceding  the  siege. — The  account  of 
the  siege  in  the  chronicles. — The  thirteenth-century  poem  on  the 
Siege  of  Newbury  from  the  Collection  of  Sir  Thomas  Phillips. —  The 
story  of  William  Marshal,  the  boy-hostage. — The  probable  site  of 
the  Castle  of  Newbury. — King  Henry  II.  at  Newbury  in  1155. — New- 
bury in  the  reign  of  Richard  I. — Grant  of  land  to  the  Knights 
Hospitallers pp.  71— loi 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

The  Manorial  History. — The  Manor  of  Newbury  bestowed  by 

King  John  on  Robert  Fitz-Roger. — The  Countess  of  Perche  disseized 

of  the  Manor. — The  Manor  of  Newbury  granted  to  Geoffrey  Fitz-Roy 

natural  son  of  King  John.— The  Manor  of  Newbury  given  to  William 


Contents.  xix 

Earl  of  Salisbury,  c.  1217. — Connection  of  the  Earl  Marshal  and  his 
family  with  Newbury. — Pedigree  of  the  Marshal  family. — The  mar- 
riage of  Simon  de  Montfort  and  the  Princess  Eleanor,  widow  of 
William  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  whereby  he  acquired  an  interest 
in  the  Manor  of  Newbury. — Testa  de  Nevill,  1236 — 1246. — Newbury 
as  described  in  the  Hundred  Rolls,  circa  1265. —  Death  of  Simon  de 
Montfort. — A  miracle  at  Newbury  attributed  to  his  corpse. — The  con- 
nection of  William  de  Valence,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  with  Newbury. — 
The  Dictum  de  Kenilworth. — Family  of  Simon  de  Montfort. — The 
interest  of  the  Mohun  family  in  Newbury,  with  pedigree. — Roger  Bigot, 
Earl  of  Norfolk,  with  pedigree  of  the  family. — The  Mortimers,  and 
their  connection  with  Newbury. —  The  family  of  de  Fortibus,  or  de 
Vivonia,  with  pedigree. — Rentals,  &c.,  in  Newbury  at  close  of  the 
thirteenth  century. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — King  John  at  New- 
bury, and  other  places  in  the  neighbourhood,  1200 — 1214. — Grant  of 
a  Fair  at  Newbury  to  St.  Bartholomews  Hospital,  121 5. — The  King's 
dogs  at  Newbury. — Henry  III.  at  Newbury. — The  repair  of  the  King's 
hostelry. — William  de  Valence  and  other  nobles  engaged  in  a  great 
tournament  at  Newbury,  a.d.  1248         ....    pp.  102 — 134 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

The  Manorial  History. — Matilda  Mortimer  holds  Tenements 
and  Rents  in  Newbury,  a.d.  1301.  —  Genealogy  of  the  family  of 
Braose,  shewing  their  connection  with  that  of  William  Marshal,  Earl 
of  Pembroke. — Property  held  by  Edmund  Mortimer,  and  his  son 
Roger  Mortimer,  Earl  of  March,  in  Newbury. — Properties  held  by 
Gilbert  de  Clare  and  the  Countess  Joan,  a.d.  1307  ;  by  Henry  de 
Lacy,  A.D.  1310  ;  and  by  Ailmer  of  Arcy,  a.d.  131 3. — Lands  and  tene- 
ments held  by  John  le  Farou  in  Newbury,  1335. — Tenements  in  New- 
bury held  by  William  de  Hastings,  1349. — The  deadly  pestilence,  a.d. 
1348 — 1357. — An  account  of  the  property  at  Newbury  assigned  to  the 
Priory  of  Sandleford,  a.d.  1349. — The  Manor  of  Newbury  assigned  by 
Roger  Mortimer,  second  Earl  of  March,  to  the  Bishop  of  Winches- 
ter and  others. — Tenements  and  Messuages  held  in  Newbury  by  Sir 
Richard  Abberbury,  Thomas  de  Rous,  and  John  de  Estbury. — 
Edmund  Mortimer,  third  Earl  of  March,  acquires  the  Manor  of 
Newbury  in  1360. — The  manor  granted  to  Sir  John  Lovel  for  life  by 
Edmund  Mortimer. — Lands  and  Tenements  in  Newbury  held  by 
the  Earls  of  Pembroke,  the  la  Zouches,  and  Richard  Fitz-Alan,  Earl 
of  Arundel. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — Edward  II.  at  New- 
bury, Sandleford  Priory,  Highclere,  and  other  places  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood.—Further  grants   to   St,  Bartholomew's    Hospital.— Priors 


XX  Contents, 

or  Wardens   of  the   Hospital.— The  "Troyte  de  Neubury"  in   the 
Fourteenth  Century pp.  135—166 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

The  Manorial  History. — Property  in  Newbury  held  by  Fulke 
Arches  and  WiUiam  la  Zouche  of  Haryngworth. — Edmund  Mortimer, 
the  fifth  Earl  of  March,  holds  Newbury. — Pedigree  of  Mortimer  of 
Wigmore. — The  Lordship  of  Newbury  granted  by  Letters  Patent  to 
Cecily,  Duchess  of  Yorlc,  mother  of  King  Edward  IV.,  A.D.  1461. — 
Later  references  to  tenements  held  in  fee  of  the  Duchess  of  York.— 
Property  in  Newbury  granted  to  Sir  Thomas  Herbert  in  1466  ;  which 
on  the  death  of  his  son  reverted  to  the  Crown. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — The  Bailiffs  of  the 
Town  of  Newbury,  1400 — 1470. — Priors  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hos- 
pital.— John  Chelry's  gift  to  the  Church  of  Newbury,  1438. — A  hostelry 
established  by  Winchester  College  at  Newbury  in  1444. — 'The  Rising 
at  Newbury,  1460. — The  Insurrection  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham, 
1483 pp.  167 — 188 

CHAPTER  X. 

Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

The  Manorial  History.— The  Manor  of  Newbury  bestowed  by 
Henry  Vlll.  upon  Lady  Jane  Seymour,  and  thence  on  the  Princess 
Elizabeth,  afterwards  Queen. — Grant  of  the  Tolls  of  the  Markets,  &c. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury.— Edward,  Duke  of 
Buckingham,  at  Newbury,  1507. — The  History  of  John  Winchcombe, 
otherwise  called  "Jack  of  Newbury." — "  The  Newberrie  Archers." — 
Winchcombe  entertains  Henry  VIII.  and  Queen  Catharine  at  his 
house  in  Newbury.  —  His  death  in  1519,  and  burial  in  Newbury 
Church. — The  remains  of  his  house  in  Newbury. — The  Dolmans. — 
Visits  of  the  Protector  Somerset  to  Newbury  in  1537,  and  of  Edward 
VI.  to  Newbury  in  1551. — Constables  of  the  town,  1522 — 1553. — Reli- 
gious Prosecutions  at  Newbury  in  Queen  Mary's  reign. — The  Gram- 
mar School,  1548 — 1559. — Queen  Elizabeth  visits  Newbury,  1568. — 
Muster  Roll  of  Inhabitants  of  Newbury  able  to  bear  arms,  1569. — 
Depositions  of  witnesses  concerning  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital, 
1577-78.- List  of  Priors  or  Wardens  of  the  Hospital  in  the  sixteenth 
century.— The  property  of  the  Hospital  vested  in  the  Mayor  and 
Corporation  of  Newbury. — Charter  granted  to  the  borough  of  New- 
bury by  Queen  Elizabeth  in  1 596  ....     pp.189 — 229 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 
The  Manorial  and  Civic  History.— The  Tolls  of  the  Markets 
and  Fairs.  — Grant  of  the  lordship  to  Anne,  Queen  of  James  I. — 


Contents.  xxi 

Survey  of  the  Manor. — Grants  to  Sir  Henry  Hobart,  and  others. — 
Grant  of  the  Manor  to  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  by  Charles  I., 
1627. — Petition  to  Parliament  by  Inhabitants  of  Newbury. — The  New 
Charters  granted  by  Charles  II.,  1664,  by  James  II.,  in  1685. — The 
Municipal  Records  of  the  Town. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury.— The  Weavers'  Com- 
pany, i6oi. — King  James  I.  and  Queen  Anne  of  Denmark  at  Newbury, 
1603.— St.  Mary's  Charity,  1604,  &c.— The  Plague  of  1602-5.— The 
Earl  of  Salisbury  at  Newbury,  161 2. — Queen  Anne  of  Denmark  again 
at  Newbury,  1613. — The  Wooden  Bridge  over  the  Kennet,  1623. — 
Kendrick's  Charity,  1624. — The  Subsidy  Roll,  1629. — The  Grammar 
School,  1634,  &c. — Presentments  of  the  Court  Leet,  1640-43. — The 
Civil  Wars,  and  the  Battles  of  Newbury,  1643-44. — Presentments  of 
the  Court  Leet,  1644-49. — Cromwell  visits  Newbury,  1649. — Newbury 
Tokens,  1652-57. —  Dutch  Prisoners  sent  to  Newbury,  1653.  —  The 
Rising  in  the  West,  1655. — The  Tumbrel,  or  Ducking  Stool,  1660,  &c. 
— Visits  of  Charles  II.,  James  II.,  and  William  III.,  to  Newbury. — 
Extracts  from  the  Municipal  and  other  Records. — The  Charitable 
Foundations,  &c pp.  230 — 325 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 
Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — Dissenting  places  of 
worship,  1700-2. — Queen  Anne  at  Newbury,  1703. — The  Newbury 
Skirmish,  1706. —  The  Corporation  Maces,  1707. — Minor  events,  1713- 
50. — The  Newbury  Coach  started,  1752. — Minor  events,  1752-54. — 
The  Corporation  Maces,  1758. — Minor  Events,  1759-65. — Residents 
in  Newbury  in  1765. — Bread  riot  at  Newbury,  1766. — Minor  events, 
1769-94. — The  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal  projected,  1794. — Volunteer 
Association,  1794-99. — Minor  events,  1796-99      .        .     pp.  326 — 376 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 
Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — The  Local  Volunteer 
Cavalry  and  Infantry  Corps,  1800. — Allowance  to  the  Mayor,  1800. — 
Peace  rejoicings,  1801. —  The  Theatre  built,  1802. — Yeomanry  and 
Volunteers,  1804-5. — Funeral  of  the  Margrave  of  Anspach,  1806. — 
Volunteers  and  Local  MiHtia,  1808. — The  National  Jubilee,  1809. — 
The  Newbury  Coat,  181 1. — Minor  events,  1812-14. — Celebration  of 
Peace,  1814. — Minor  events,  1815-16. — Education  of  the  poor,  1818. 
—  Minor  events,  1820-30. — The  Machine  Riots,  1830.- Minor  events, 
1832-47. — The  New  Grammar  School,  1848. — Minor  events,  1850-3. — 
Celebration  of  Peace,  1856. — Minor  events,  1857-70.— The  Autumn 
Manoeuvres,  1872. — Minor  events,  1873-77. — Extension  of  the  Borough 
Boundaries,  1878.— The  new  Municipal  Buildings,  1878.— The  Falk- 


xxii  Contents. 

land  Memorial,  1878.— Newbury  and  Didcot  Railway,  first  sod  turned, 
1879.— St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital  and  Grammar  School  Foundation, 
1880.— Clock  Tower  of  the  new  Municipal  Buildings,  1881.— Opening 
of  the  Didcot  and  Newbury  Railway,  1882.— Recovery  of  the  Borough 
Charters,  1883.— The  Parish  Room  erected,  1884.— Opening  of  the 
Didcot,  Newbury,  and  Southampton  Railway  to  Winchester,  1885. 
—Opening  of  the  new  Grammar  School  buildings,  1885.— Opening 
of  the  Newbury  District  Hospital,  i885.-The  National  Jubilee, 
1887 pp.  377-430 


PART  II.— The  Ecclesiastical  History 
OF  Newbury. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  Advowson  of  the  Rectory. 
The  Church  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas.— The  dispute  respecting  the 
Church  at  Newbury  between  the  Parson  of  the  Church  and  the  Abbot 
of  Prdaux,  c.  1220.— The  question  as  to  the  extent  of  the  parish  of 
Thatcham.— The  Taxation  of  Pope  Nicholas,  c.  1290.— The  Inqui- 
sition of  the  Ninths,  1341. — Transfer  of  the  advowson  from  the  Abbey 
of  Preaux  to  Sir  Lewis  Clifford  in  1394. — Afterwards  to  Sir  Thomas 
Erpingham,  to  Witham,  and  to  Sir  John  Brydges. — The  assessment 
of  Newbury  in  the  Valor  Ecclesiasticus  of  1534. — The  later  history  of 
the  advowson pp.  433—442 

CHAPTER  II. 
The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods. 

Bullock's  or  St.  Mary's  Chantry,  1330. — Warmington's  Chantry, 
1367. — John  Chelry's  bequest  for  an  Obit  in  Newbury  Church,  1438. — 
Wormestall's  Chantry,  1466. — The  Church  Goods,  1552,  pp.  443 — 454 

CHAPTER  HI. 

History  and  Description  of  the  present  Parish  Church. 

The  evidence  of  date  from  the  architecture. — The  Will  of  Jack  of 
Newbury. — Date  on  the  tower. — Size  of  the  Church. — Chief  architec- 
tural features. — Work  of  restoration,  1858-67.  —  The  Stained-glass 
Windows. — The  Communion  Plate. — The  Bells. — The  Clock  and 
Chimes. — The  Monumental  Inscriptions       .         .         .     pp.  455 — 496 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 
A  List  of  the  Rectors,  with   Biographical  Notes.— A  List  of  the 
Churchwardens.— The  Organists  of  the  Church  .        .     pp.  497—5 1 7 


Contents.  xxiii 

CHAPTER  V. 
The  Church  Records. 

The  Parish  Registers. — Collections  by  Briefs  in  Newbury  Parish 
Church. — Churchwardens'  Presentments. —  Extracts  from  the  Church- 
wardens' Accounts. — The  Church  Charities. 

The  Parishes  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  Newbury,  and 
St.  Mary,  Speenhamland.  —  St.  John's  Church.  —  St.  Mary's 
Church .        .     pp.  518 — 546 

APPENDICES. 

The  Mayors,  High  Stewards,  Recorders,  and  Town  Clerks  of 
Newbury. — Persons  of  Note  connected  with  Newbury,  &c. 

PP-  547—572 

Addenda  et  Corrigenda pp.  573—580 

General  Index pp.  581 — 595 


DIRECTIONS  TO  BINDER. 

A  Plan  of  the  Town  of  Newbury  and  Speenhamland,  1768. 

To  face  Title-page. 

Map  to  illustrate  the  Roman  Roads  in  the  Neighbourhood  of  New- 
bury   To  face  p.  6 

A   Plan    to    illustrate    the    Position   of   the    Domesday   Manor   of 
Ulvritone,  &c To  face  p.  54 


PART  I.     • 

tibe  Ibistof?  of  tbe  JCown  of  IHewbur?. 


CHAPTER    I. 


Ubc  IRoman  an&  Englisb  Settlement  on  tbe 
IRivec  Ikennet. 

The  Roman  station  Spimz  of  the  Antonine  Itinerary. — Lines  of  the  Roman 
Roads. — The  beorgh  or  hill-foptress  in  the  neighbourhood. — Description 
of  the  supposed  locality  of  the  Roman  station. — Roman  remains  in  and 
near  Newbury. — The  Saxon  Settlement  on  the  River  Kennet. — Traces 
of  original  names. — References  to  the  name  Spene. — The  names  of 
places  in  the  neighbourhood. — The  Saxon  coins. — The  evidence  of  the 
ford, — The  Lot  Mead. — The  natural  advantages  of  the  position. — The 
new  bourg. 

IT  is  an  oft-repeated  truism,  to  state  that  probably  there 
is  no  corner  in  England  which  is  entirely  without  relics 
or  memorials  connecting  it  with  the  general  stream  of  our 
National  History,  and  which  has  not  had  an  influence 
more  or  less  in  directing  the  destinies  of  our  common 
country.  In  an  especial  manner  this  applies  to  the  town 
of  Newbury,  which  from  its  geographical  position  on  the 
line  of  the  great  highway  from  London  to  the  West,  and 
lying  midway  on  the  north  and  south  track  between  the 
important  cities  of  Oxford  and  Winchester,  has  been  the 
scene  of  actions  and  events  at  least  as  interesting  and 
prominent  as  those  associated  with  the  past  history  of 
many  other  towns  with  a  far  larger  population  and  more 
extended  celebrity. 

Its  site,  on  the  banks  of  the  Kennet,  is  precisely  such 
as  was  chosen  by  all  Celtic  races  for  their  settlements,  and 
the  existence  of  numerous  hill-forts  and  pre-historic  earth- 
works in  its  immediate  neighbourhood  are  of  themselves 
sufficient  to  indicate  that  this  locality  was  extensively 
occupied  by  the  inhabitants  of  Britain  before  the  coming 
of  the  Roman  conquerors. 

In  dealing  with  the  many  circumstances  in  the  early 
history  of  Newbury,  so  well  worth  the  examination  of  the 
historian  or  the  antiquary,  it  may  be  well  briefly  to  recall 

B  2 


4  The  Roman  and  English  Settlement 

the  information  which  has  been  already  published  illus- 
trative of  the  subject,  together  with  the  results  of  later 
observation  and  research. 

The  great  facts  of  the  Invasion  and  Conquest  of  Britain 
by  the  Romans  have  long  been  before  the  world  ;  but  our 
knowledge  of  this  introductory  portion  of  our  National 
Annals,  in  detail,  is  meagre  and  unsatisfactory.  There  is 
but  little  contemporary  literature  to  enlighten  us  as  to  the 
relative  position  of  places  nampd  in  the  few  reliable  docu- 
ments relating  to  this  period,  and  represented  by  existing 
towns  and  villages. 

The  only  authority  giving  the  names  and  distances 
of  British  towns  and  stations  on  the  principal  military 
roads  under  the  Romans  which  throws  any  light  on  this 
district  is  the  great  Itinerarium  of  the  Roman  Empire 
which  is  known  as  that  of  Antoninus,  but  is  believed  not 
to  have  been  compiled  before  A.D.  320  *. 

The  difficulty  of  applying  the  Roman  geography  of  the 
Itinerary  to  existing  roads  and  remains  must  be  apparent 
to  any  one  having  a  knowledge  of  the  variations  of  local 
topography.  Alterations  in  our  old  highways,  and  the 
diversion  and  often  almost  complete  obliteration  of  many 
of  the  roads  given  in  the  Itinerary,  especially  during  the 
great  road-making  period  of  the  eighteenth  century  neces- 
sary for  the  stage-coach  system  of  traffic,  have  much 
altered  the  arteries  of  communication,  and  some  of  the 
natural  physical  features  of  the  country.  Therefore  an 
attempt  to  absolutely  determine  the  situation  of  the 
stations  named  on  the  routes  is  often  very  hazardous. 

Two  routes,  namely  Iter  XIII.  and  Iter  XIV.  of  the 
Antonine  Itinerary,  starting  from  the  West  and  leading 
to  London,  mention  S'pinse  ("  Spinis "  in  the  Latin  com- 
position) as  a  station,  the  name  of  which  we  have  good 
reasons  for  believing  is  preserved  in  the  modern  village 
of  Speen. 

•  The  Itinerary  compiled  by  Bertram  of  Copenhagen,  and  published  in  1759 
as  the  work  of  Richard  of  Cirencester,  a  monk  of  Westminster  in  the  fourteenth 
century,  was  accepted  by  Dr.  Stukeley,  and  continued  to  be  received  as 
a  genuine  composition  of  the  fourteenth  century,  amongst  antiquaries,  but  it 
has  been  shewn  to  be  an  absohite  forgery. 


on  the  River  Kennet. 
The  Iters  now  to  be  discussed  are  as  follows : — 
Iter  XIII.  Ab  Isca  Calleva,  Mille  Passum  CIX. 


Ancient  names 

of  Roman  stations 

in  '\  Antonine 

Itinerary." 

Mille 

Passum,  or 

Roman 

miles. 

Presumed  Sites. 

Actual  distance 

in  English 
statute  miles. 

Isca 

Burrio      .     .     . 
Blestio     .     .     . 
Ariconio .     .     . 
Glevo.     .     .     . 
Durocomorio,  1 
or  Corinium  J 
Spinis      .     .     . 
CaUeva  .     .     . 

IX. 
XI. 
XI. 
XV. 

XIV. 

XV. 
XV. 

XC. 

Caerleon 

Usk 

Monmouth.    .     .     . 
Weston,  near  Ross. 
Gloucester.    .     .     . 

Cirencester.    .     .     . 

Speen 

Silchester.      .     .     . 

7 
II 

lO 

II 

IS 
36 
IS 

10s 

The  traces  of  the  road  between  Cirencester  and  Speen 
are  clear,  and  where  the  modern  road-makers  have  made 
a  variation  from  the  old  beaten  track  the  original  Via  is 
distinctly  visible.  Compact  layers  of  flint  underlie  the 
green  sward,  which  here  and  there  fringes  the  wide  part  of 
the  road  ;  and  where  the  present  track  has  been  lowered 
by  the  centuries  of  traffic  passing  over  it,  the  ancient  Via 
is  displayed  in  section,  shewing  the  construction  charac- 
teristic of  Roman  roads  in  this  country.  One  of  these 
windings  may  be  noticed  near  "  The  Hare  and  Hounds," 
in  Lamborne- Woodlands,  with  the  trace  of  the  old  road 
in  the  field  adjoining,  pursuing  its  direct  course.  Another, 
but  less  definite,  instance  may  be  seen  at  Wickham ;  and 
again  at  Baydon,  where  considerable  Roman  remains 
have  been  found,  the  line  of  the  ancient  way  is  clearly 
recognised. 

The  course  of  this  road  from  Cirencester  to  Cricklade 
is  well  known,  and  from  the  latter  place  it  follows  an  ab- 
solutely straight  line  till  it  reaches  Totterdown,  where  it 
turns  abruptly  and  descends  into  the  valley.  From  here 
it  continues  in  a  south-easterly  direction,  but  with  several 
slight  curves,  via  Baydon,  Wickham,  Stockcross,  to  Speen 
Hill,  where  it  joins  the  London  and  Bath  road  near  the 
58th  milestone.  It  will  be  seen  that  there  is  a  differ- 
ence of  nineteen'  miles   between   the   sum   total   at  the 


6  The  Roman  and  English  Settlement 

heading  and  the  subordinate  distances ;  and  that  there 
is  a  further  variation  of  fifteen  miles  between -the  total 
of  the  Roman  numerals  in  this  Iter,  and  the  actual  dis- 
tance in  English  statute  miles,  if  the  stations  are  cor- 
rectly placed,  without  taking  into  calculation  the  slight 
difference  between  the  English  and  Roman  miles.  We 
can  only  account  for  this  latter  discrepancy  by  supposing 
that  the  name  of  an  intermediate  station  between  Duro- 
cornorium  and  Spinas  has  been  omitted  either  in  the  Itine- 
rary, or  by  a  transcriber.  It  has  been  pointed  out  by 
Mr.  Gordon  Hills  "^  that  if  Spinis  and  Speen  are  correctly 
identified  <=,  this  lost  place  was  fifteen  miles  from  it  in  the 
direction  of  Cirencester.  The  point  on  the  Roman  road 
at  this  distance  falls  on  North  Farm,  about  mid-way  be- 
tween the  villages  of  Baydon  and  Wanborough,  where 
Roman  remains  have  been  abundantly  found,  including 
coins  of  Antoninus  Pius,  Alexander  Severus,  Gallena,  and 
Salonica  his  wife,  Constantine,  Helena,  sister  of  Con- 
stantine,  Magnentius,  Julian,  and  others. 

Iter  XIV.  Alio  Itinere  Ab  Isca,  Calleva,  Mille 

passum  cm. 

Another  route  from  Caerleon. 


Ancient  names 

of  Roman  stations 

in  '_'  Antonine 

Itinerary." 

Mille 

Passnm,  or 

Roman 

miles. 

Presumed  Sites. 

Actual  distance 

in  English 

statute  miles. 

Isca    .... 
Venta  Silurutn 
Abone     .     .     . 
Trajectus      .     . 
Aquis  Solis 
Verlucione  .     . 

Cunetione    .     . 

Spinis 
Calleva  .    .     . 

IX. 
IX. 
IX. 
VI. 
XV. 

XX. 

XV. 
XV. 

Caerleon   .... 
Caerwent  .... 
Sea  Mills  .... 
Bitton  Ferry  .     .     . 

Bath 

Bewley  (SpyePark). 
Folly  Farm,    near' 

Marlborough  . 
Speen  ,     ,     .     .     . 
Silchester.     .     .     . 

9 
9 
9 
6 

IS 

20 

i8 
IS 

loi 

XCVIII. 

''  Jour.  Brit.  Arch.  Assoc,  vol.  xxxiv.  p.  313. 

■•  There  can  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  identification,  as  independently  of  the 
evidence  derived   from   its   being   twice  mentioned  in  connection   with   the 


JBiceiTe\ 


MAP 

TO  ILLUSTBATE  THE 

ROMAN    ROADS 

IN  THE  NEIGHBOUBHOOD  OF 

NEWBURY. 


To  face  p^  6, 


PAHK«B  *  CO.,  LJTHO.  OXFOnD. 


on  the  River  Kennet.  j 

In  this  Iter  the  sum  of  the  items  is  short  of  the  sum 
total  given  by  five  miles,  which  Stukeley  endeavours  to 
account  for  by  substituting  XX.  for  XV.  opposite  Speen, 
an  addition  he  did  not,  however,  suggest  when  deaHng 
with  the  same  place  in  the  last  Iter.  The  slight  differ- 
ence between  the  total  mileage  prefixed  to  this  route  and 
the  actual  distance  may.  be  reasonably  reconciled  by  sup- 
posing that  the  modern  road  does  not  entirely  follow  the 
direct  route  which  the  Romans  no  doubt  adopted. 

This  was  the  high  road  from  Bath  to  London,  which, 
in  crossing  Wiltshire,  passed  through  Spye  Park,  then  over 
Roundway  Hill,  Devizes,  and  skirting  the  base  of  Silbury 
Hill,  crossed  the  Kennet  at  Marlborough,  then  to  Cunetio, 
or  Folly  Farm,  near  Mildenhall,  Rudge  Farm  *,  Froxfield, 
and  so  on  to  Speen  and  Silchester. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  two  main  western  roads, 
coming  from  Gloucester  and  Bath  respectively,  meet  at 
Spince,  the  station  before  Calleva,  where  both  of  the 
routes  end.  Without  positively  asserting  that  this  Calleva 
must  be  Silchester,  it  may  be  truly  said  that  no  other  im- 
portant site  of  Roman  occupation  so  exactly  fits  the  line 
of  these  roads.  Quite  apart  from  this  observation,  an  ex- 
amination of  the  Ordnance  Survey  Map  shews  that  the 
two  lines  of  road  from  the  West  towards  London  would 
Certainly  unite  at  Speen  before  reaching  Calleva,  and  join 
this  latter  where  a  southern  road  takes  its  departure  for 
Venta-Belgarum  (Winchester).  The  continuation  of  the 
Roman  road  from  Speen  to  Silchester,  or  Calleva,  can- 
not be  traced  with  sufficient  accuracy  to  allow  of  any  de- 
finite route  being  adopted,  but  at  Woodspeen  (about  n 
mile  E.  of  Speen,  and  a  mile  N.E.  of  Newbury)  remains 

Roman  roads,  we  have  an  example  of  the  name  Spinse  being  applied  in 
a  charter  of  the  tenth  century,  as  will  be  seen  at  p.  i6. 

■  ''  Roman  pavements  have  been  found  here,  and  the  famous  "Rudge  Cup," 
having  the  names  of  five  stations  on  the  western  portion  of  the  Roman  Wall, 
occurring  in  the  following  order,  from  east  to  west,  Maiee,  Amboglana,  Banna, 
Abaliava,  Uxelodunum,  was  discovered  in  a  rubbish  pit  at  this  place  more 
than  a  century  ago.  It  is  described  and  engraved  in  Horsley's  Britannia 
Roniana,  p.  49,  and  also  in  Gough's  Camden,  vol.  i.  p.  113,  and  in  Sir 
Richard  Colt  Hoare's  Wiltshire,  vol.  ii.  p.  121.     . 


8  The  Roman  and  English  Settlement 

of  a  roadway  very  compactly  cemented  together,  as  such 
Roman  work  usually  was,  and  trending  from  N.W.  to 
S.E.,  have  been  unearthed ;  and  another  on  Mr.  Baxen- 
dale's  estate,  nearer  Greenham,  which  were  probably  parts 
of  the  road  from  Spinse  to  Silchester. 

Another  Roman  road  connects  Streatley  with  Speen  on 
the  Thames.  From  Streatley  this  road  passes  over  Streat- 
ley- Warren  to  Westridge  and  Aldworth,  thence  to  Turville 
Farm,  over  Waylay  Hill,  by  the  Folly  e,  where  there  are 
tumuli,  to  Hampstead-Norris.  From  the  village  of  Hamp- 
stead-Norris  two  roads  lead  to  Speen.  One  (not  used 
since  the  common  lands  of  Hampstead-Norris  were  en- 
closed) crossed  the  St.  Abbes  brook,  known  by  the 
country-people  as  "Tabs;"  thence  to  Grimsbury  Camp 
in  Fence  Wood,  and  down  the  hill  to  Hermitage,  where 
it  joined  the  other  road,  now  used  from  Newbury  to 
Streatley ;  thence  it  passed,  via  Long  Lane,  to  Shaw  and 
Speen. 

A  branch-road  termed  the  Old  Street,  which  is  one  of 
the  most  distinctly  marked  Roman  roads  existing  in  this 
country,  also  connected  Speen  with  the  well-known 
Ridgeway  on  the  Berkshire  Hills,  via  Shaw,  Hermitage, 
Sandy  Lane,  Beedon  Common,  Stanmore,  and  Farn- 
borough. 

It  should  be  added  that  while  the  greater  part  of  the 
town  of  Newbury  stands  on  the  peaty  land  of  the  valley- 
bottom,  on  either  side  of  the  Kennet,  the  main  street  stands 
on  a  compact  stratum  of  gravel,  several  feet  thick,  which 
may  well  have  been  brought  there  to  form  the  basis  of  a 
Roman  Via.  It  is  true  that  a  straight  line  from  Speen 
Hill  to  Silchester  would  not  cross  the  river  at  right  angles, 
but  obliquely;  yet,  direct  as  Roman  roadways  usually 
were,  such  a  slight  deflection  is  not  rare.  The  same  road 
continuing  further  east  from  Calleva  (Silchester)  to  Pontes 

"  There  are  certain  words  which  are  constantly  observed  along  the  lines 
of  Roman  Ways,  and  among  them  is  "  Folly. "  The  well-known  Folly 
Farm,  near  Marlborough ;  another  Folly  Farm  near  Dorking,  actually  stand- 
ing on  the  northern  branch  of  the  Stane-street,  and  many  other  instances 
might  be  mentioned. 


on  the  River  Kennet.  9 

(Staines),  though  straight-  enough  east  and  west  of  the 
Loddon,  is  shewn  by  a  careful  survey  to  have  crossed  that 
river  by  a  bend  ruled  by  the  ford. 

Speen,  as  mentioned  above,  is  even  now  close  to  a  great 
meeting-point  of  roads,  just  as  SpinjE  is  represented  in  the 
Itinerary  to  have  been ;  and  its  relative  distance  from 
other  points  according  to  the  Itinerary,  and  the  similarity 
of  the  name,  all  supply  good  arguments  for  the  hypothesis 
that  Speen  occupies  the  site  of  the  ancient  Spinae.  We 
also  remark  that  at  the  hill-foot,  where  the  supposed 
British  trackway  passed  the  present  church  of  Speen, 
old  thorn -trees  and  wild -briars,  such  as  those  from 
which  it  is  conjectured  Spinae  took  its  name,  still  grow 
in  abundance. 

Our  modern  railways  in  this  part  of  England  may  be 
referred  to  in  illustration  of  the  relative  position  of  the 
routes  and  places.  Thus  we  may  suppose  Spinae  rela- 
tively to  represent  Swindon  on  the  Great  Western  line, 
where  the  roads  from  Gloucester  and  Bath  unite, — and 
■Calleva  to  correspond  with  Reading,  where  the  Great 
Western,  on  its  way  to  London,  is  joined  by  a  line  from 
the  south,  connecting  it  with  Winchester. 

Naturally  the  points  chosen  for  the  earliest  Roman 
stations  or  encampments  were  those  that  were  capable 
of  defence ;  and,  where  defensive  positions  already  existed, 
they  were  adapted  to  the  new  order  of  things.  Thus  often 
enough  defensive  works  of  the  British  were  utilized  by 
the  Romans  where  necessary.  The  advantage  of  these 
fortified  posts,  constructed  sometimes  on  precipitous  emi- 
nences, is  obvious.  They  had  been  selected  because  of 
their  commanding  situation,  whence  a  country  could  be 
overlooked,  or  because  of  their  local  value  for  the  defence 
of  some  special  point,  such  as  a  ford.  Valuable  for  these 
purposes  to  the  Celt,  they  were  equally  useful  to  the 
Roman,  but  the  latter  trusted  rather  to  discipline  and 
palisades  than  to  heavy  outworks  ;  hence  the  traces  of 
their  military  posts  are  but  slight,  often  unnoticed,  and 
disappear  before  the  plough. 

The  summit  of  the  hill  of  Speen  forms  a  bold  rounded 


io  The  Roman  and  English  Settlement 

spar,  projecting  eastward  from  the  plateau,  and  narrowed 
at  its  western  end  by  two  valleys  on  the  north  and  south 
side.  The  London  and  Bath  road,  which  probably  follows 
the  Hne.of  the  Roman  road,  passes  over  the  "Col"  so 
formed,  and  proceeds  straight  towards  Newbury. 

On  the  south  side  of  this  road  the  face  of  the  hill,  as  far 
as  the  "  Col,"  has  evidently  been  scarped  ;  but  only  very 
faint  remains  of  any  rampart  are  visible.  Between  the  two 
valleys  marking  the  "  Col "  are  traces  of  broken  ground 
with  close  turf  and  such  irregularities  as  may  fairly  be 
taken  to  be  the  remnants  of  the  vallum.  But  from  this 
point  along  the  natural  curve  of  the  crest-line  which 
terminates  on  the  north  side  of  the  road,  opposite  the 
encampment  above  mentioned,  the  indications  are  weak 
and  faint.  The  scarping  of  the  hill  on  the  south  may 
really  have  been  continuous  with  a  vallum.  This  land, 
has  long  been  under  cultivation,  and  therefore  the  ob- 
literation is  not  to  be  wondered  at ;  nor  is  it  more  com- 
plete and  remarkable  than  in  other  camps  where  the 
vallum  has  been  thrown  down  without  a  trace  of  its  former' 
position  to  be  seen.  Furthermore,  on  the  southern  slopes 
are  the  remains  of  old  wells,  supplied  by  a  still  existing 
spring :  and  close  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  near  this,  is  the 
ancient  church  of  Speen,  by  which  runs  a  winding  road- 
way along  the  hill-side  to  the  ford-way  of  Newbury. 

All  these  facts  point  but  to  the  conclusion  that,  whether 
essentially  occupied  by  the  Romans  or  not,  this  rising 
ground  was,  in  early  times,  the  site  of  some  hill-fortress 
or  camp. 

Situated  on  a  lofty  eminence  between  the  valley  of  the 
Lamborne  on  the  north,  and  that  of  the  Kennet  on  the 
south,  and  on  the  "  Col,"  narrowed  by  two  lateral  depres- 
sions, thus  presenting  a  small  level  frontage  to  the  plateau 
on  the  north,  and  overlooking  the  neighbouring  hollows, 
as  well  as  the  wider  Kennet  valley,  an  earthwork  would 
be  well  placed  by  some  early  people.  Simple  in  outline 
for  military  purposes,  following  the  contour  of  the  ground, 
within  the  reach  of  water,  and  with  an  ancient  road  of  ap- 
proach, it_  would  have  all  the  characteristics  and  require- 


on  the  River  Kennet.  1 1 

ments  of  a  defensive  work,  without  fear  of  surprise  from 
an  enemy.  Though  its  site  is  now  intersected  by  the 
high  road,  its  diameter  can  be  estimated  at  about  1,250 
feet.  On  the  south,  as  above  mentioned,  it  may  have 
been  protected  by  an  escarpment  of  the  hill-side ;  whilst 
defensive  earthworks  may  have  followed  along  the  rest 
of  its  outline. 

That  few,  if  any,  chipped  flints  or  British  relics  have 
been  found  within  the  lines  of  this  probable  camp,  or  in 
its  suburbs,  goes  for  very  little.  Such  traces  are  by  no 
means  frequent  in  these  small  enclosures ;  and  are  not 
even  common  in  camps  of  refuge  to  which  the  inhabitants 
of  the  unprotected  neighbourhood  and  their  flocks  could 
take  shelter  during  times  of  raid  or  danger.  That  Celtic 
people  inhabited  this  neighbourhood  is  evident  from  the 
discovery  of  bronze  spear-heads  in  Speen  Moor. 

As  it  by  no  means  follows  there  were  permanent  build- 
ings on  such  sites,  it  is  very  probable  that  the  settled 
dwellings  of  this  locality  were  down  below,  near  the  ford- 
way  of  the  Kennet,  and  that  only  hut-sljelter  was  used 
on  the  hill-top  itself.  At  first  the  name  may  have  been 
attached  to  the  hill-fort,  and  subsequently  to  the  Romano- 
British  village. 

That  Romans  held  it,  and  may  have  had  a  guard  sta- 
tioned here,  is  both  possible  and  probable.  It  would  be  a 
useful  stage  or  safe  halting-place  for  travellers,  such  as  the 
small  stations,  mansiones  and  mutationes,  said  to  have  been 
common  all  along  the  great  Roman  highways  were.  In- 
deed, the  use  of  a  station  for  the  troops  at  this  point  would 
no  doubt  immediately  arise,  and  we  can  well  conceive 
that  the  large  amount  of  traffic  concentrated  here  by  the 
great  roads  which  converged  at  Speen  soon  caused  the 
formation  of  a  settled  population '. 

Although  no  foundations  of  Roman  buildings  have  been 
disclosed,  nor  any  definite  outline  of  a  Roman  camp  can 
be  traced,  yet  Roman  relics  have  been  discovered  both 

'  Hence  it  is  thought  that  the  station  of  the  Roman  Itinerary  called  Spinse 
was  on  this  hill-top,  and  may  be  referred  to'  as  an  example  of  what  these  ' 
stations  were. 


12  The  Roman  and  English  Settlement 

in  the  village  of  Church  Speen  and  at  Newbury,  the 
distance  between  the  two  being  rather  more  than  a  mile. 
Roman  pottery  and  tiles  were  thrown  up  some  years  since 
in  excavating  the  foundations  of  houses  a  short  distance 
from  the  church  at  Speen.  An  unguentarium  was  dug 
out  of  the  peat  on  Speen  moor;  and  in  1839  a  bronze 
steelyard  is  mentioned  as  having  been  discovered  in  New- 
bury s.  In  1830  a  coin  of  the  Emperor  Galba  was  found 
in  Newbury,  10  feet  below  the  surface,  in  excellent  preser- 
vation ;  many  other  Roman  coins  were  met  with  during  the 
drainage  operations  in  1855,  and  in  excavating  for  the  erec- 
tion of  the  Grammar-school  buildings  in  the  city  a  few 
years  previously;  and  Roman  fragments  of  fictile  ware 
have  been  found  in  moving  soil  for  buildings  in  the  market- 
place and  in  other  parts  of  the  town.  In  a  gravel-pit  near 
where  the  Roman  road  from  Cirencester  joins  the  modern 
turnpike-road  on  old  Speen  Hill  an  urn  containing  Roman 
coins  was  discovered  ;  and  coins  of  Faustina,  Trajan,  and 
other  reigns  have  been  found  in  the  same  locality. 

Near  the  Goods  Station  of  the  Great  Western  Railway 
in  Newbury  there  appears  to  have  been  a  Romano-British 
cemetery,  for  urns,  bottles,  amphorae,  and  Samian  pottery 
were  discovered  there  in  considerable  quantities  ^  together 
with  a  number  of  human  skeletons,  probably  a  hundred. 
Coins  of  Diocletian  and  Probus  are  also  recorded  as  having 
been  found  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  line,  on  the  pro- 
perty of  Capt.  Ward,  R.N. 

In  the  preceding  pages  it  has  been  shewn  that  there 
are  reasonable  grounds  for  the  assumption,— first,  that 
a  British  settlement  existed  in  early  days  on  the  defensible 
and  well-watered  spur  of  the  Speen  plateau ;  and  secondly, 
that  this  site  and  that  occupied  by  the  more  ancient 
portions  of  the  present  town  of  Newbury  were  colonized 
by  the  Rom.ans. 

History  and  the  Romans  left  Britain  together ;  and 
during  the  long  and  confused  struggle  between  the.Romano- 

B  This  interesting  object  was  afterwards  in  the  possession  of  a  Mr.  Billin? 
of  Bradley  Farm,  Chievely. 
■■  See  the  "Newbury  District  Field  Club's  Proceedings,"  vol.  ii.  p.  126. 


on  the  River  Kennet.  1 3 

British  population  and  the  Saxon  invaders,  for  supremacy 
in .  the  province  of  Britain,  it  is  probable  that  the  "  new 
burg'"  on  the  banks  of  the  Kennet  was  not  of  sufficient 
importance  to  attract  much  attention '.  Unfortunately 
we  have  no  Saxon  charters  or  history  to  assist  us  in  our 
investigation;  neither  have  we  evidence  in  existing  remains 
or  in  recorded  discoveries  to  remind  us  of  the  presence 
of  these  early  settlers.  Many  local  names,  however, 
preserve  the  traces  of  the  Teutonic  'immigrants  and  the 
kindred  tribes,  who,  establishing  their  homes  on  the 
soil,  bequeathed  to  us  the  nomenclature  of  their  farms 
and  villages  ;  for  instance,  in  such  names  as  Wickham, 
Benham,  Crookham,  Thatcham,  Midgham,  Greenham, 
Woolhampton,  Ham,  Hampstead,  Leckhampstead,  Speen- 
hamland — all  of  which  convey  the  notion  of  something 
hedged,  walled  in,  or  protected,  a  house  or  dwelling, 
"  ham "  and  "  home  "  being  English  forms  of  "  heim," 
which  we  meet  with  in  many  German  names.  Differing 
little  in  meaning  is  "  ton,"  the  commonest  termination  of 
English  local  names,  which  we  find  in  Avington,  Brimpton, 
Bright-Walton,  Compton,  Donnington,  Easton,  Weston,  &c. 
Burn — a  brook — is  represented  in  Winterburn  and  Enburn. 
Ford — a  ford — in  Boxford,  Welford,  Sandleford,  &c.  Croft 
— a  croft  or  field — in  Northcroft,  &c.  Holt — a  wood — in 
Holt,  near  Kintbury.  Comb — a  depression  qn  the  side 
of  a  hill,  a  valley  without  a  running  stream — in  Tidcombe, 
Coombe,  Watcombe,  &c.  Straet — a  road,  the  Via  Strata 
of  the  Romans — in  High-street-lane  at  Boxford,  Enburne- 
street,  West-street  at  Burghclere,  &c. 

These  well- accustomed  and  characteristic  local  names 
recall  for  us  the  settlements  of  the  Anglo-Saxons,  and 
attest  the  wide  extent  of  ground  once  occupied  by  one 
or  other  of  the  great  divisions  of  the  Saxon  race.  We  also 
see  how  the  Saxon  names  have  retained  their  ground 

'  This  locality,  with  its  streams,  its  woods,  and  its  meadows,  would  be  what 
Tacitus  tells  us  the  Saxons  preferred.  He  says  they  lived  separate  and  apart 
even  in  their  villages,  just  as  a  wood,  a  spring,  or  a  meadow  might  attract 
them.  Each  apart  in  a  piece  of  ground ;  this  being  also  a  precaution  in  case 
of  fire,  their  houses  being  built  partly  of  wood. — C.  Cornehi  Taciti  Germania, 
cap.  xvi.  p.  545. 


14  The  Roman  and  English  Settlement 

through  successive  eras  of  civilization,  and  that  from  the 
few  rude  huts  of  these  primitive  settlers  have  sprung  up 
homesteads  and  villages,  which  have  preserved  with  in- 
destructible vitality  the  story  of  the  early  colonization 
of  this  district. 

It  was  an  established  principle  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
government  that  the  state  or  community  should  take 
possession  of  a  certain  tract,  proportioned  in  extent  to 
the  number  of  its  inhabitants,  and  divide  it  by  lot  to  indi- 
viduals according  to  their  rank  or  dignity,  a  sufficient 
quantity  being  reserved  and  appropriated  as  the  common 
property  of  the  township.  On  the  north-west  side  of 
the  Lammas-land  in  Northcroft,  where  the  inhabitants 
of  Newbury  have  the  right  of  pasturage  for  a  certain 
period  of  the  year,  for  cattle  levant  and  couchant  (which 
is  so  many  as  the  land  will  maintain),  there  is  a  field 
called  "  Lot  Mead,"  probably,  as  in  other  cases  where  the 
name  occurs,  representing  a  portion  of  the  original  partition 
of  lands,  which,  when  cleared,  were  divided  by  lot.  Aubrey, 
the  Wiltshire  antiquary,  in  Ijis  Topographical  Collections 
for  North  Wilts,  under  Wanborough,  says  : — 

"  Here  is  a  Lott-Mead  celebrated  yearly  with  great  ceremony. 
The  Lord  weareth  a  garland  of  flowers ;  the  mowers  at  one  house 
have  always  a  pound  of  beefe  and  a  head  of  garlick  every  man, 
according  to* that  of  Horace,  'O  dura  tnessoru7n  iliaP  with  many 
other  old  customs  still  retayned.  It  is  now  sufficiently  known 
to  the  neighbouring  gentry  for  revelling  and  horse-racing''." 

There  is  no  record  or  tradition  of  any  similar  festival 
being  held  at  Newbury,  nor  do  we  find  any  other  refer- 
ence to  a  like  custom  prevailing  elsewhere.  The  "  Lott- 
Mead  "  referred  to  by  Aubrey  may  have  been  a  survival 
of  the  ancient  Lammas  Festival,  which  was  practised  in 
some  parts  of  the  kingdom  so  late  as  about  the  middle 
part  of  the  last  century. 

Again,  Anglo-Saxon  coins  of  various  dates  have  been 
discovered  in  the  town  of  Newbury;  and  only  quite  re- 

"■  Aubrey's  North  Wilts,  edited  by  Canon  Jackson,  F.S.A.,  p.  198. 


on  the  River  Kennet.  15 

cently  a  silver  penny  of  Egbert  was  found  in  Chepe  Street, 
i.e.  the  Market  Street,  a  name  which  at  once  proclaims 
its  Saxon  source.  That  Kintbury,  six  miles  further  up 
the  Kennet,  was  a  Saxon  settlement  of  prolonged  duration 
is  quite  evident  from  the  numerous  coins  of  the  reigns 
of  Edmund,  Edred,  and  Edwy  found  there ',  and  the  fact 
of  the  existence  of  an  extensive  Anglo-Saxon  cemetery 
on  the  chalk  cliff  above  the  Kennet  is  of  significance,  if 
not  of  importance.  Thus  we  see  that  the  West-Saxon 
settlers  at  this  period  occupied  the  banks  "of  the  Kennet, 
which  here  was  crossed  by  a  ford  at  a  broad  shal- 
low just  above  (west  of)  the  present  bridge.  The  oldest 
bridge  (wooden)  was  probably  thrown  over  the  narrower 
part  of  the  river  below  the  ford  ;  and  subsequently,  when 
the  river  was  made  navigable,  a  portion  only  of  the  ford 
was  left,  banked  off  from  the  other  half  of  the  stream, 
which  was  deepened,  and  an  old  timber  bridge  replaced 
by  the  structure  now  standing. 

Newbury,  however,  in  a  true  sense,  cannot  be  said  to 
have  as  yet  existed.  The  few  nameless  Romano-British 
habitations,  in  time,  may  have  been  displaced  by  the 
followers  of  Cerdic  and  Cynric.  It  was  probably  not 
until  some  years  after  the  Conquest  that,  the  country 
being  settled,  there  grew  up  on  the  other  (south) 
side  of  the  river  a  number  of  houses,  which  came  to  be 
called  the  New-Bourg.  The  time  when  these  houses 
were  sufficient  in  number  to  claim  a  name  is  practically 
proved  by  the  name  itself.  The  word  "  burh "  had  not 
until  the  eleventh  or  twelfth  century  completely  lost  the 
meaning  of  a  fortress,  and  come  to  signify  that  of  a 
"town  ;"  and  the  Latin  burgus  seems  to  have  gone  through 
much  the  same  stages.  On  the  Continent,  however,  the 
meaning  of  the  "  bourg"  seems  to  have  come  in  very  soon, 
and  to  have  acquired  a  special  signification,  that  is,  the 
bourg  of  a  town  was  the  bourg  outside  a  town,  the  "  for- 
bourg "  or  faubourg,  as  it  is  called.  This  was  the  special 
meaning  of  the  "  borough,''  i.e.  the  other  side  of  the  river 

'  Gough's  "Camden,"  vol.  i.  p.  159. 


1 6  The  Roman  and  Jinglistt  Settlement 

from  London,  and  the  New-borough,  Neuf-bourg  ;  but  we 
only  get  it  in  the  Latinized  form  of  Nubiria,  or  Nuburia. 
The  town  thus  sprung  up  during  the  close  of  the  eleventh 
century,  when  it  had  its  name. 

Of  Speen,  however,  or  Spins,  though  all  trace  is  for 
a  time  lost,  we  find  a  wood  called  "  Spene  "  in  a  Saxon 
Charter  of  the  date  A.D.  821,  and  no  more  than  this  dim 
and  uncertain  light  is  thrown  on  this  period  of  our  his- 
tory by  documents. 

The  Charter  "is  in  the  name  of  Kenulf,  King  of  Mercia, 
granting  to  Abingdon  Abbey,  at  the  request  of  Bishop 
Rethunus,  lands  at  Leckhampstead,  Boxford,  Welford, 
Wooley  (Wohanla'h),  Trinley,  near  Shefford  (Trindla'h), 
Wickham,  Easton,  and  other  places  in  this  locality,  these 
words  occur,  "  cum  ilia  silva  integra  quae  dicitur  Spetie  ™." 
This  doubtlessly  means  the  wooded  slopes  of  the  hills 
on  the  north  and  north-west  of  Newbury,  now  comprised 
within  the  extensive  parish  of  Speen. 

Again,  in  a  charter  of  a  date  anterior  to  the  year  1079, 
which  will  be  quoted  hereafter  more  at  length,  is  to  be 
found  the  name  Spene,  nearly  as  now  written  ;  it  is  also 
worthy  of  notice  that,  as  will  be  seen  in  a  later  chapter, 
the  charter  quoted  by  Orderic  Vital  in  the  eleventh  cen- 
tury adopts  the  form  de  Spenis,  which  so  materially  helps 
.the  hypothesis  that  this  place  is  the  Spinis  of  the  Itine- 
rary. It  also  points  to  the  fact  that  the  Spone  of  "  Domes- 
day "  is  a  scribe's  error  for  Spene,  as  the  entry  given 
under  that  name  must  be  undoubtedly  ascribed  to  this 
same  place. 

We  may  reasonably  conclude,  therefore,  that  the  Romans, 
occujlying  the  British  hill-station  with  Spinae,  had  already 
extended  it  to  the  holding  of  the  ford-way  over  the  Kennet. 
The  Saxons  burnt  and  plundered  both  ;  knd  held  the  pas- 
sage over  the  river  by  the  "  New-Bourg  "  only.  If  the  sup- 
planted Spinse  was  really,  deserted  when  the  hamlet  again 

^  "  Lechamstede,  Boxora,  Uueliford,  cum  appenditiis  suis.  Uuicham  cum 
suis  campis  sicut  Ceaduu£»lla  rex  perdonavit,  cum  ilia  silva  integra  quK  dici- 
tur Spene,  Pohanlech  et  Trinlech  ;  Eatun  cum  omnibus  agellulis  ad  prajfata 
loca  pertinentibus,  concedens  perdonabo  sicut  prEediximus  perpetuam  liber- 
tatem." — Kemble's  Codex  Diplomaticus,  i.  ccxiv. 


on  the  River  Kennet.  17 

rose  can  never  be  determined  ;  and  it  is  not  surprising  that 
historical  evidence  of  its  having  again  risen  into  notice 
should  not  be  forthcoming  until  a  much  later  date.  The 
Romano-British  people  attached  to  the  statio  probably 
settled  on  the  site  afterwards  occupied  by  the  town  of 
Newbury ;  and  on  the  south  side,  near  the  railway-station, 
there  is  sufficient  evidence,  which  has  already  been  shewn, 
to  regard  that  spot  as  a  small  cemetery".  The  absence 
of  Roman  remains  to  any  extent  on  the  north  side,  where 
the  actual  statio  must  have  been  on  account  of  the  roads, 
is  more  remarkable,  perhaps,  than  the  presence  of  the  few 
local  remains  on  the  south  side.  But  in  consequence 
of  mediaeval  occupation  all  traces  not  only  of  wooden 
but  of  stone  and  brick  structures  above  ground,  or  even 
earthworks,  would  on  this  side  have  been  swept  away. 
The  fact  has  been  noticed  that  the  Saxon  did  not  adopt 
as  his  home  the  site  of  Roman  settlements,  since  every 
colonist  .would  anxiously  strive  to  secure  that  by  which 
he  could  feed  himself  and  his  family,  in  preference  to 
continuing  in  a  place  which  no  longer  afforded  any  advan- 
tages beyond  those  of  temporary  defence  and  shelter. 
The  inhabitants  they  enslaved,  or  expelled  as  a  mere 
necessary  precaution  and  preliminary  to  their  own  peace- 
able occupation  of  the  land  ;  but  they  neither  took  pos- 
session of  the  towns,  nor  did  they  give  themselves  the 
trouble  to  destroy  them.  They  had  not  the  motive,  the 
means,  or  perhaps  the  patience  to  unbuild  what  we  know 
to  have  been  so  solidly  constructed.  Where  it  suited  their 
purpose  to  save  the  old  Roman  work,  they  used  it  for 
their  own  advantage ;  where  it  did  not  suit  their  views  of 
convenience  or  policy  to  establish  themselves  on  or  near 
the  old  sites,  they  quietly  left  them  to  decay. 

In  many  respects  Newbury  possessed  natural  advantages 
which  would  not  be  overlooked  by  these  early  settlers, 
and  contributed  materially  to  its  development.  Situated 
in  a  fruitful  and  well-watered  valley,  its  river  teemed  with 
fish,  and  its  woods,  which  extended  from  the  royal  forest 

"  The  local  instances  of  Reading  and  East  Garston  may  be  mentioned, 
where  the  term  "  Forbury  "  is  still  in  use. 

C 


1(3  i  lie  rLoman  ana  ungnsn  deniemeni, 

of  Windsor  to  Hungerford ",  afforded  every  variety  of 
game.  The  roebuck,  the  red-deer,  the  boar,  the  gigantic 
bull,  the  badger,  the  wolf,  and  other  wild  animals  which 
roamed  along  the  banks  of  the  swift- flowing  Kennet,  were 
hunted  in  the  chase,  and  furnished  food  for  their  pursuers. 
The  otter  and  the  beaver  p  were  abundant  in  the  marshes 
by  the  river,  where  also  might  be  seen  the  swan,  the  goose, 
the  duck,  and  snipe,  all  ministering  to  material  wants, 
imperatively  required  for  the  subsistence  of  an  increasing 
population. 

Nor  were  its  natural  defences  and  facilities  of  communi- 
cation less  important  and  valuable.  On  the  south  the 
lofty  hills  of  Hampshire  reared,  as  now,  their  defensive 
line  of  British  fortresses,  from  east  to  west.  On  the 
north  are  the  Berkshire  Downs,  traversed  by  the  great 
highway  known  as  the  Icknield-way  (in  some  places  called 
the  Ridge-way),  extending  its  communication  from  the 
Norfolk  coast  on  the  one  hand,  and  into  Wales  on  the 
other.  Thus  the  situation,  as  a  defensible  position,  is 
almost  unequalled. 

The  New-Bourg,  with  its  water-supply  and  water  com- 
munication, situated  on  a  ford-way  of  the  Kennet,  where 
the  neighbouring  roads  must  always  have  converged,  had 
in  it  the  elements  of  commercial  prosperity,  such  as  the 
smaller  villages  of  Speen  and  the  like  could  never  possess. 
If  Spinae  was  originally  important  as  occupying  the  com- 
manding hill-land  of  Speen  at  a  time  when  the  defensive 
capabilities  of  a  site  were  all  important,  its  direct  descen- 
dant Newbury,  on  the  banks  of  the  river-highway,  took 
its  position  of  importance  from  its  suitability  for  the  put- 
poses  of  commerce  and  of  peace. 

Thus  the  settlement  of  the  "New-bourg''  prospered  and 
increased  amidst  surrounding  manors,  but  maintaining  its 
rights  and  privileges  free  from  the  interference  of  the 
neighbouring  lords  ;  expanding,  too,  in  civilization  as  the 
light  of  the  Gospel,  first  brought  here  by  St.  Birinus  and 

"  The  Kennet  vale  was  not  disafforested  until  the  reign  of  King  John. 
1'  In  the  river  Kennet  v\fas  an  island  called  "Beaver  Island." — Chron.  Mon. 
Ab.  Rolls  Series,  vol.  i.  p.  Ii8. 


on  the  River  Kennet.  19 

other  early  Christian  missionaries,  extended  its  beneficent 
influence  over  the  land. 

Under  these  influences  the  settled  town  and  its  sur- 
roundings, more  and  more  amenable  to  law,  as  derived 
from  Briton,  Roman,  and  Teuton,  and  perfected  by  Chris- 
tianity, received  and  valued  those  principles  of  municipal 
freedom  which  form  the  basis  of  that  modern  enlightened 
political  constitution  it  is  our  privilege  to  possess. 


c  2 


CHAPTER    II. 


Ube  (Bift  Of  tbe  Cburcb  of  Speen  to  Bufas, 
in  IRormanOs,  c.  1079. 

The  first  mention  of  the  name  of  Newbury. -The  Church  at  Aufay  on  the 
river  Scie.-Bernard,  son  of  Geoffrey  of  Neuf  Marche,  grants  the  Church 
of  Speen,  the  tithes  held  by  Everard  the  Priest,  besides  twenty  shillings 
from  the  revenues  oi  Newbury.— 1\i^  corroborative  evidence  of  the  state- 
ments made  in  the  charter  which  is  copied  by  Orderic  Vital.— The  con- 
nection between  the  families  of  Heugleville  and  Neuf  Marche.— In  1086 
Humphrey  Vis-de-Lew  is  tenant  in  capite  of  Speen.— Bernard  signs  the 
King's  charter  of  gifts  to  Battle  Abbey.— Speen  afterwards  held  of  the 
Honour  of  Brecknock.— The  light  the  previous  notes  throw  on  the  early 
history  of  Newbury. 

THE  curtain  first  rises  and  discloses  NEWBURY  to  our 
view  about  the  year  1079,  when  there  appears  a  dis- 
tinct historical  reference  to  the  names  of  Speen  and  New- 
bury. 

In  his  "Ecclesiastical  History  of  England  and  Nor- 
mandy," Ordericus  Vitalis,  the  Norman-English  chronicler, 
who  entered  as  a  monk  at  St.  Evroult  in  1085,  and  died  in 
1 141,  recounts  the  founding  of  the  priory  of  Aufay  (a 
small  place  on  the  Scie,  a  rivulet  which  discharges  itself 
on  the  coast  a  little  to  the  west  of  Dieppe),  from  the  docu- 
ments which  were  handed  over  to  his  monastery  when  the 
property  bestowed  on  this  priory  or  dependency  was 
transferred  to  St.  Evroult. 

From  these  Orderic  learnt  that  Gilbert,  son  of  Richard 
de  Heugleville  (the  place  whence  he  derived  his  title  is 
close  by),  founded  this  priory  at  the  instigation  of  his 
wife,  about  the  year  1079,  on  his  patrimonial  domains, 
and  endowed  it  with  several  churches  and  much  land,  all 
of  which  were  of  course  duly  recorded  in  the  documents. 
Geoffrey  of  Heugleville,  one  of  Sir  Richard's  knights, 
and  Robert,  also  a  knight,  were  considerable  benefactors 
to  the  newl3'--established  monastery.     Lastly,  Bernard,  son 


TJte  Gift  of  the  Church  of  Speen  to  A  ufay.  2 1 

of  Geoffrey  of  Neufmarch^,  gave  to  St.  Mary  of  Aufay 
the  Church  of  Speen  ("  de  Speinis"),  with  the  land  belong- 
ing to  it,  and  with  all  the  tithes  which  Everard  the  Priest 
held  ;  and  he  gave  twenty  shillings  of  the  revenue  of 
Newbury  ("  de  censu  Neobtirice ")  to  be  paid  yearly,  at 
Michaelmas,  in  exchange  for  the  churches  of  Burghill  and 
Brinsop,  two  parishes  in  Herefordshire  ^ 

After  recounting  one  or  two  more  gifts,  Orderic  Vital 
continues : — 

"  And  so  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1079,  the  second  indiction, 
that  is  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  William  the  Great,  King  of 
England  and  Duke  of  Normandy,  the  aforesaid  Gilbert  and 
Beatrice  his  wife  deposited  the  donation  of  the  possessions  before 
mentioned  on  the  altar  of  St,  Mary,  in  the  presence  of  the  follow- 
ing witnesses  :  Gilbert,  Ralph,  Walter,  and  John,  the  four  canons 
of  that  chyrch  ;  Bernard  of  Neuf-Marche,  Geoffrey  of  St.  Denys, 
Osbern  Capes,  and  Osbern  Buflo,  Eustace  of  Carcuit,  and 
Eustace  of  Torci,  Robert  of  Heugleville,  Roger  of  Pare,  and 
many  others." 

The  names  of  these  witnesses  throw  no  light  upon  the 
general  question,  but  their  transcription  shews  that  Orderic 
was  writing  of  his  own  monastery,  not  from  hearsay,  and 
copying  actual  documents  drawn  up  in  legal  form  and 
lying  before  him.  Therefore  we  have  contemporary  testi- 
mony of  the  circumstances  related.  It  appears  that  Gilbert 
died  immediately  after  his  gift  to  the  monastery,  i.e.  on 
the  15th  August,  1079  ;  and  further  benefactions  to  Aufay 
were  made  after  his  death.  The  whole  of  these  grants 
to  the  monks  of  St.  Evroult  were  ratified  by  the  confirma- 
tion of  William  I.,  William  Rufus,  and  again  by  King 
Henry  I.,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  time. 

From  these  writings  it  is  certainly  evident  that  "New- 
bury" was  at  that  time  in  existence  as  a  "  vill,"  and  known 


°  The  original  runs, — "Bemardus  Goesfredi  de  novo  Mercato  filius.  Eccle- 
siam  de  Speinis  et  totam  terrain  ad  ipsam  pertinentum  cum  tota  decima,  quam 
Edwardus  Presbyter  tenebat,  Sanctse  Marise  dedit,  et  pro  mutatione  eccle- 
siarium  de  Eurcherra  et  de  Brineshopa,  20  solidos  de  censu  Neoburiffi  ad  fes- 
tivitatem  Sancti  Michaelis  concessit." — Ordericus  Vitalis,  Hist.  Keel.,  lib.  vi. 
cap.  5. 


22  The  Gift  Of  the  Cfturch  Of  i>peen 

by  its  present  name ;  though,  not  being  a  separate  Manor, 
the  name  does  not  occur  in  Domesday  Book. 

In  considering  the  charter  handed  down  in  the  pages  of 
Orderic  Vital  it  will  be  well  to  test,  so  far  as  can  be  done 
by  independent  evidence,  the  consistency  of  the  statement 
as  regards  the  exchange  of  the  two  churches  in  Hereford- 
shire for  the  church  and  tithes  of  Speen,  and  a  portion 
of  the  revenues  of  Newbury,  with  the  general  circumstances 
of  the  time  and  place. 

That  Gilbert  of  Heugleville,  a  little  village  some  fifteen 
miles  above  Dieppe,  should  found  a  monastery  at  Aufay, 
which  is  on  the  same  river,  and  a  mile  still  higher  up,  is 
not  remarkable,  nor  is  there  any  improbability  in  the 
statement  of  the  historian  that  he  did  so  at  the.  instigation 
of  his  wife,  Beatrix.  It  will  be  observed,  however,  that  he 
himself  endowed  it  with  lands  only  in  its  immediate  neigh- 
bourhood, or  at  least  not  beyond  the  bounds  of  Nor- 
mandy. 

As  already  stated,  Bernard,  son  of  Geoffrey  of  Neuf- 
march^,  gave  Gilbert  of  Heugleville,  towards  this  endow- 
ment of  Aufay,  the  following: — i.  The  Church  of  Speen 
with  lands  belonging  to  the  same;  and  2.  The  tithes  which 
Evrard  the  Priest  held.  He  also  gave  twenty  shillings 
yearly  from  the  revenue  (^'census")  of  Newbury  in  exchange 
for  Burghill  and  Brinsop,  two  churches  in  Herefordshire. 

Several  questions  suggest  themselves : — Why  should  Ber- 
nard of  Neufmarche,  a  place  some  twenty  miles  or  more 
away,  help  to  endow  Aufay  ?  How  had  he  become  pos- 
sessed of  either  the  Church  and  tithe  of  Speen,  or  the 
revenues  of  Newbury?  Finally,  why  should  he  prefer 
two  churches  in  Herefordshire,  and  so  come  to  get  them 
by  exchange  ? 

The  first  question  is,  perhaps,  the  most  satisfactorily 
answered.  From  Orderic  Vital  and  other  sources  we 
obtain  some  information  respecting  the  family  of  Richard 
de  Heugleville  ;  and  the  following  table  will  shew  exactly 
how  they  became  connected  by  marriage  with  the  family 
of  Neufmarche  ^  : — 

■>  For  this  pedigree  see  Ord.  Vital.,  bk.  vi.  cap.- v. 


to  Aufay,  in  Normandy. 


23 


Richard  of  =  Ada,  widow 
Heuerleville.    I     of  Herluin. 


.1  I  I     ■ 

Gilbert  of    =  Beatrix.     Ada.  =  Geoffrey,  son     Another  =Hugh,    son  of 


Heugleville, 
Founder  of 
Aufay. 


Walter  of  Hugo, 
Heugle-  turned 
ville.  Monk. 


ofTurchetel     daughter. 

of  Neuf- 

marchS. 


Turchetel     of 
NeufmarchS 
(killed  at  Ar- 
ques). 


I  I 

Bernard,  Drogo, 

of  Neuf-  turned 

marchfi.  Monk. 


From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  Bernard  of  Neufmarche 
was  nephew  to  Gilbert  of  Heugleville  (or  of  Aufay,  as  he 
was  afterwards  called,  because  of  his  being  practically 
its  founder),  his  mother,  Ada,  being  sister  of  Gilbert. 

Now,  though  Bernard's  name  does  not  appear  in  the 
Domesday  Survey  as  holding  any  manors  in  capita  in 
England  in  1086,  and  although,  so  far  as  has  been  ob- 
served, his  name  does  not  appear  in  any  of  the  lists  sup- 
posed to  represent  those  who  accompanied  the  Conqueror 
when  he  came  into  England,  still  from  independent  sources 
we  obtain  sufficient  information  to  shew  that  he  was  a 
man  of  considerable  wealth  and  of  some  power  in  this 
country.  His  father's  fortress,  one  of  great  importance 
on  the  river  Epte,  was  the  centre  of  frequent  intestine 
disturbances  ;  and  it  would  appear  that  his  father  had 
failed  in  the  defence  of  this  territory ;  for  Duke  William, 
when  the  people  of  Beauvais  were  making  inroads  into 
this  district,  thought  it  well  to  depose  Geoffrey,  and  put 
in  his  place  other  barons,  almong  whom  was  notably  Hugh 
de  Grentmesnil.  This  was  before  the  conquest  of  England. 
That  he  was  not  in  serious  disgrace,  however,  is  shewn  by 
the  fact  that  Orderic,  when  speaking  of  him  subsequently, 
says  that  Geoffrey,  and  his  son  Drogo  (who  afterwards 
joined  the  abbey  of  St.  Evroult  as  a  monk),  did  great  ser- 
vice to  his  monastery  through  their  "  influence  at  Court." 
Bernard,  the  elder  son,  is  not  here  mentioned,  probably  be- 
cause he  was  then  away  in  England.  There  appears  to 
have  been  a  marked  contrast  between  the  two  brothers. 


24  I  ne  Lrtji  oj  me  u/iurcn  oj  jjiiiiin 

one  being  devoted  to  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life,  the  other 
to  the  more  stirring  role  of  arms.  Orderic's  words  are  : — 
"Bernard  adhered  to  his  miUtary  career  till  he  was  an  old 
man,  and  vigorously  took  part  in  battle  under  three  successive 
Kings  of  England  \  His  greatest  achievement  was  under  William 
Rufus,  when  he  fought  against  and  slew  Rhys,  King  of  Wales ;  after 
that  he  erected  the  castle  of  Brecon,  and  possessed  for  many 
years  that  part  of  the  kingdom  of  Wales  of  which  Talgarth  was 
the  capital." 

As  Orderic  always  recounts  deeds  of  piety  as  well  as 
bravery  he  adds  : — 

"  He  founded  the  Priory  of  St.  John  the  EvangeHst,  in  the 
town  of  Brecon,  appointing  monks,  and  endowing  it  with  tythes 
of  all  his  property  *." 

We  have  an  insight  here  into  his  military  career  and 
into  his  private  character ;  and,  though  we  have  not  found 
any  independent  mention  of  his  having  possessed  lands 
in  Berkshire,  beyond  the  one  passage  already  quoted  in 
the  pages  of  Orderic,  it  is  not  unreasonable  to  suppose 
that  what  in  former  years  he  had  done  for  Speen  in  after 
years  he  did  for  Brecon. 

Some  few  only  of  the  charters  respecting  this  church 
of  Brecon  or  Brecknock  are  extant ;  but  though,  as  or- 
dinarily is  the  case,  they  are  somewhat  imperfect,  still  an 
examination  tends  strongly  to  substantiate  in  one  or  two 
details  Orderic's  general  statements. 

In  one  of  the  charters  purporting  to  be  granted  by 
Bernard  himself,  by  which  he  makes  over^the  foundation 
at  Brecknock  to  Battle  Abbey  (to  which  the  smaller  one 
of  Brecknock  remained  a  cell  till  the  time  of  the  Dissolu- 
tion), he  recapitulates  many  of  his  early  gifts.  The  charter 
runs  : — 

"  Know  all  that  I,  Bernard  of  Neufmarche,  with  the  consent 
of  my  King  Henry  [i.e.  Hen.  I.],  have  given  to  the  Church  of 
St.  Martin  de  Bello  [i.e.  Battle  Abbey]  a  certain  church  which 

"^  Ord.  Vital.,  bk.  vi.  cap.  v. 
^  This  Priory  he  subsequently  made  a  dependency  of  Battle  Abbey. 


to  Aufay,  in  Normandy.  25 

is  within  my  castle  in  Wales,  at  Brecknock,  which  I  have  had 
dedicated  in  honour  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  for  the  salvation 
both  of  the  soul  of  my  Lord  King  Henry,  and  that  of  his  father 
King  William,  and  of  his  mother,  as  well  as  of  my  own  soul  and 
that  of  my  wife  and  my  son  and  daughter.  These  are  the  gifts 
which  I  have  made  to  the  Church.  [Here  follow  gifts  of  pro- 
perty, &c.,  in  Wales,  chiefly  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Brecknock.] 
But  in  England  I  have  given  four  churches  with  lands  and  all  tythes 
belonging  to  them,  that  is  the  Church  of  Pattingham,  of  Boden- 
'\x'3xa.,ol Burghill ,  of  Hardington,  and  the  tythes  oi Brimskoppe,&iC." 

Other  benefactions  are  mentioned,  but  the  chief  reason 
of  qupting  the  charter  so  far  is  to  shew  that  he  had  be- 
stowed upon  his  new  foundation  of  Brecknock  the  church 
of  Burghill  and  the  tithes  of  Brinsop,  the  two  churches, 
it  will  be  remembered,  which  he  received  in  exchange  for 
the  annual  20s.  from  the  dues  of  Newbury,  which  he  settled 
upon  Aufay. 

The  church  of  Brinsop,  it  may  be  added,  remained  in 
the  gift  of  the  Abbey  to  the  time  of  the  Dissolution,  being 
duly  entered,  as  to  its  revenues,  in  the  Minister's  accounts 
then  presented.  The  tythes  of  Burghill  seem  meanwhile 
to  have  been  sold  or  lost. 

The  date  of  the  gift  of  the  churches  to  Brecknock  cannot 
be  ascertained.  Probably  it  was  on  the  first  foundation  ; 
and  as,  according  to  Dugdale,  the  first  prior  was  appointed 
in  1096,  an  earlier  date  cannot  at  present  be  given.  There 
are  no  grounds,  therefore,  for  supposing  that  when  he  made 
the  exchange,  previous  to  1079  (and  it  has  been  shewn  that 
this  date  must  be  assigned  to  the  grant  to  Aufay  by  Gil- 
bert, if  not  a  little  earlier),  he  had  the  foundation  of  his 
Welsh  church  in  contemplation.  Nor  does  the  entry  re- 
specting the  two  manors  of  Burghill  and  Brinsop  in  the 
Domesday  census  throw  any  light  upon  the  transaction. 
Both  manors  are  entered  as  belonging  to  a  wealthy  Eng- 
lishman, Alfred  of  Marlborough,  and  they  are  both  re- 
corded as  having  in  the  taxation  of  King  Edward  the 
Confessor  been  entered  as  belonging  to  Harold  ^ 

•  Domesday,  i86  a. 


25  1  lie   Litjl  uj  me  t^nun-ie.  uj   ^^cmi^ 

The  Domesday  Book  unfortunately  seldom  takes  any 
note  of  owners  during  the  period  between  Edward  the 
Confessor  and  1086.  In  the  case  of  another  manor  held 
by  Alfred  of  Marlborough  (near  Ewyas)  it  will  be  seen 
there  is  an  undoubted  reference  to  Ralph  de  Bernai  having 
held  it,  or  rather  part  of  it,  during  the  interval ;  but  there 
is  no  reason  to  suppose  that  the  other  manor  held  by  him 
had  passed  through  the  same  vicissitude  of  owners.  It  is 
just  these  missing  links  which  render  it  so  difficult  to  discover 
the  history  of  the  manors  during  the  early  Norman  period. 
On  the  whole,  however,  there  is  no  reason  to  be  urged 
against  Bernard  having,  at  an  earlier  period  than  the  reign 
of  William  Rufus,  acquired  property  in  the  West  of  Eng- 
land ;  and  there  is  one  place  incidentally  named  in  the 
charters  of  Roger,  Earl  of  Hereford  (the  grandson  of 
Bernard  by  Bernard's  daughter,  Sibyl),  in  which  is  con- 
firmed the  property  which  had  been  given  at  the  original 
foundation,  or  had  been  added  since. 

These  charters,  like  the  others,  are  obtained  by  "In- 
speximus,"  and  in  one  of  these  occurs  a  reference  to  "  ter- 
ram  illam  quae  fuit  Walkelini  Vis  de  Lu ',  scilicet  de  Penta- 
navel  usque  ad  Wemardi  Castellum  s." 

Humphrey  Vis-de-Lew  was  returned  as  the  tenant  in 
capite  of  Speen,  the  same  manor  from  which  Bernard  had 
helped  to  endow  Aufay  ^,  and  of  three  other  manors  in 
Berkshire,  but  in  no  other  county.  It  may  be  a  mere 
coincidence,  but  the   statement   that  a  member  of  this 

'  Given  in  Latin  as  Ualkelinus  Visus-Lupi :  see  Chron.  Monast.  Abingd. , 
1858,  vol.  ii.  p.  122. 

B  Cart.  15  Edw.  II.  No.  8. 

*■  Humphrey  Vis-de-Levf  held  in  Berks,  in  addition  to  the  manor  of  Speen, 
the  adjoining  manors  of  Benham  and  Boxford,  and  the  manor  of  Moreton. 
Ralph  Vis-de-lew,  his  brother,  held  lands  in  Norfolk.  From  the  Berkshire 
line  descended  Walkelin  Vis-de-lew,  who  returned  his  barony  in  Berks,  1 165, 
as  held  by  the  service  of  one  knight,  and  Sir  William  Vis-de-lew,  of  Berks, 
who  circa  1300  bore  three  wolves'  heads.  Of  the  Norfolk  line,  descended 
from  Ralph,  William  Vis-de-lou  was  Lord  of  "  Visdelieus"  in  Shelfhanger  in 
1 1 70.  In  1300  William  Vis-de-lou  was  living,  and  about  this  time  the  manor 
of  Shottesbroke,  Berks,  passed  to  his  family  by  a  female  heir.  His  son,  Sir 
Thomas,  left  two  daughters,  his  heirs.  A  branch  was  seated  for  seven  gener- 
ations at  Shotley,  Suffolk,  and  bore  three  wolves'  heads.  In  the  thirteenth 
century  Winemar  Vis-de-lou  held  Stotel,  Suffolk,  and  Walchelin  Vis-de-lou 
a  fief  at  Shotley.  In  1329  Sir  William  Vis-de-lew  presented  to  the  Rectory 
of  Santon,  Norfolk,  and  in  1374  John  Jernagan  married  the  daughter  of  Sir 


to  Aufay,  in  Normandy.  27 

family,  probably  the  son  (in  Domesday  it  was  Hum- 
phrey, but  in  this  inspeximus  charter  it  is  Walkelin), 
who  helped  Bernard  in  after  years  in  the  endowment  of 
another  church,  seems  to  point  to  some  family  connec- 
tion ;  and,  if  it  could  be  verified,  it  might  throw  light 
upon  the  circumstance  of  Speen  being  held  in .  1086  by 
one  of  the  Vis-de-Lu,  or  Vis-de-Lew,  family  instead  of  by 
Bernard  of  Neufmarche. 

It  has  been  supposed  that  Bernard  had  been  in  England 
before  he  made  the  grant  to  Aufay,  and  that  probably 
he  was  amongst  those  who  first  accompanied  the  Con- 
queror. That  he  should  have  transferred,  just  before  his 
death,  his  church  of  Brecknock  to  Battle  Abbey  seems 
amongst  other  things  to  point  to  the  latter  circumstance. 
Indeed  the  Abbey,  reared  on  the  spot  where  the  Standard 
had  been  fixed,  in  consequence  of  the  vow  made  by  Wil- 
liam, and  as  a  thank-offering  for  success,  though  chiefly 
founded  by  William,  was  enriched  with  grants  by  many 
others  who  had  passed  safely  through  the  fearful  havoc 
of  that  day. 

The  chronicle  of  Battle  Abbey  relates  that  it  was  through 
the  importunity  of  a  certain  monk,  Roger,  that  Bernard 
was  prevailed  upon  to  make  the  gift.  But,  be  this  as  it 
may,  it  is  one  link  which  connects  Bernard  with  the  story 
of  the  Conquest. 

There  is  another  and  more  essential  point  to  be  ob- 
served. In  looking  over  some  of  the  charters  of  this 
Abbey  it  is  noticeable  that  in  one ',  and  perhaps  the  most 
important,  i.e.  in  which  the  King  grants  liberties  and  free- 
dom over  the  lan'ds  which  had  been  assigned  to  his  foun- 


Thomas  Vis-de-low.  The  modem  names  of  Fidler  and  Vidler  are  armorially 
identified  with  this  family  of  Vis-de-lou. 

The  name  of  Humphry  Vis-de-Lew  is  found  in  the  list  of  knights  in  the 
honour  of  Wallingford  in  1228  who  paid  a  fine  rather  than  serve  abroad  with 
the  army  of  Henry  III. ,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  acquittance  : — 

' '  For  Humphry  Vis-de-Lew,  who  paid  a  fine  of  ten  marks,  that  he  might 
be  quit  of  the  voyage,  and  to  have  his  scutage  for  a  knight's  fee,  which  he 
holds  of  the  King  o£  the  same  honour." — Fine  Roll,  13  Hen.  HI.  m.  4. 

'  Pat.  2  Edw.  IV.  part  3,  m.  15 ;  Chronicon  Mona«sterii  de  Belle.  Anglia 
Christiana  Society,  1846,  p.  34. 


26  The  Utjt  of  the  tHurch  oj  :^peen 

dation,  amongst  the  signatures  of  the  witnesses  Bernard's 
name  appears.     The  signatures  are  as  follows  : — 

Peter,  Bishop  of  Chester  [1072 — 1086], 

Herman,  Bishop  of  Salisbury  [1045—1078], 

William,  Earl  of  Warren, 

Bernard  of  Neufmarche,  and  Gambart,  Abbot  of  the 
same  place  [appointed  1076]. 

The  place  of  signing  the  charter  is  Winchester ;  and  as 
the  signatures  limit  the  date  between  1076  and  1078,  we 
may  be  sure  that  Bernard  was  already  in  England  at  this 
time.  Moreover  the  occasion  suggests,  though  it  does  not 
prove,  his  having  played  some  part  in  the  event  which 
they  were  commemorating ;  and  if  so,  his  services  would 
not  have  been  unrewarded. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  in  1079  the  gift  of  Aufay, 
and  all  that  belonged  to  it,  was  laid  on  the  altar  of  St. 
Mary,  at  the  monastery  of  St.  Evroult ;  and  that  some  few 
years  afterwards  Bernard's  name  is  found  amongst  the 
above  list  of  signatures.  In  all  probability  he  had  re- 
turned for  a  short  time  to  Normandy  within  a  few  months 
of  his  uncle's  death,  who  was  an  alien,  and  on  that  occa- 
sion, at  his  uncle's  request,  he  made  the  gift  which  con- 
nects his  name  with  Speen  and  Newbury. 

Another  incidental  confirmation  of  what  Orderic  says, 
and  what  we  find  in  Domesday,  is  the  fact  that  Bernard 
had  originally  held  lands  which  at  the  taking  of  the 
Domesday  Survey  were  held  by  Humphrey  Vis-de-Lu. 
Bernard,  being  undoubtedly  a  turbulent  warrior,  had  been 
engaged  in  some  outbreak  in  Normandy,  perhaps  support- 
ing Robert,  the  Conqueror's  son,  and  his  lands  in  England 
had  therefore  been  taken  from  him,  and  given  to  Vis-de- 
Lu.  Afterwards,  when  Bernard  was  restored  to  the  favour 
of  Rufus,  he  recovered  Speen,  giving  lands  in  Brecon  to 
Vis-de-Lu  in  exchange.  This  would  help  to  account  for 
what  we  learn  in  the  "Testa  de  Neville"  (p.  123  b), 
that  Walter  Marshall,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  held  Speen  of 
the  Honour  of  Brecknock. 

That  the  family  of  Vis-de-Lu  retained  some  of  the  lands 


to  Aufay,  in  Normandy.  29 

they  had  held  at  the  taking  of  Domesday  is  shewn  by  the 
"Chronicle  of  Abingdon"  (vol.  ii.  p.  122),  which  speaks 
of  Walkelin  Vis-de-Lu  holding  Boxford  (Boxora),  near 
Newbury,  about  11 15.  -The  Vis-de-Lu  family  held  the 
manor  of  Shottesbroke  near  the  year  1300,  as  mentioned 
in  a  note  on  a  previous  page,  and  soon  afterwards  we  lose 
sight  of  their  name  in  the  records  of  this  county. 

Summarizing  the  history  contained  in  the  foregoing 
pages,  it  appears  that  an  intimate  manorial  connection 
at  first  existed  between  the  ancient  settlement  of  Speen 
with  its  more  important  offspring  Newbury.  The  town 
was  originally  in  the  manor  of  Speen  ;  and  the  first  docu- 
mentary evidence  therefore  deals  with  the  connection  be- 
tween the  borough  and  its  parent  village.  That  is  to  say, 
the  revenue  or  tithes  of  a  portion  of  the  town  which  had 
grown  up  within  the  ancient  manor  were,  with  the  church 
of  Speen,  first  appropriated  by  the  Lord  of  the  Manor, 
Bernard  of  Neufmarche,  to  Aufay.  The  manor  itself  ap- 
pears afterwards  to  have  been  taken  from  Bernard  of 
Neufmarche's  control  and  bestowed  on  Vis-de-Lu.  Finally, 
when  Bernard  of  Neufmarche  regained  the  favour  of  his 
Sovereign,  William  IL,  he  recovered  the  manor  of  Speen, 
and  with  it  his  part  of  the  revenue  arising  from  the  town 
of  Newbury.  For  by  the  time  when  Orderic  wrote,  the 
scattered  buildings  must  have  been  so  far  multiplied  as 
to  have  become  a  "burg,"  and  about  the  middle  of  the 
eleventh  century  must  have  acquired  the  name  of  the 
"  New  Bourg,"  whence,  as  previously  suggested,  the  modern 
name  has  been  derived.  But  it  does  not  follow  that  the 
ancient  site  at  Speen  was  altogether  abandoned  when  New- 
bury first  became  a  distinct  settlement,  and  when  the 
Anglo-Saxon  colonists  founded  a  community  within  their 
"New  Bourg."  The  village  of  Speen,  with  its  Church, 
existed  then  as  it  exists  now ;  but  it  has  as  regards  local 
conditions  remained  a  village,  while  its  offshoot  Newbury, 
with  greater  advantages,  has  become  a  town,  absorbing 
in  its  history  that  of  Speen. 


CHAPTER    III. 


(Brant  of  tbe  Cburcb  anb  mtbes  of  IKlewburi?  to  tbe 
Hbbes  of  preauj  in  iRorman&s,  c.  10S5.  • 

The  charter  of  William  the  Conqueror  from  the  Cartulary  of  Notre  Dame  de 
Preaux. — Confirmation  charters  existing. — An  account  of  Preaux  audits 
two  churches. — The  great  benefactor  to  Newbury,  Ernulf  of  Hesding. 
— His  early  history. — His  connection  with  England  and  the  manors  held 
by  him. — His  benefactions  to  churches. — Various  incidents  in  Ernulf 's 
life. 

WE  have  seen  in  the  previous  chapter  that  a  portion 
of  the  revenue  of  the  town  of  Newbury  had  already- 
been  granted  to  the  monastery  of  Aufay,  we  now  come 
to  a  more  important  grant,  namely  that  of  the  church 
of  Newbury,  which  was  given  in  the  same  manner  to  a 
newly-founded  abbey  in  Normandy,  namely  St.  Pierre  de 
Preaux. 

The  material  at  our  command  consists  of  one  charter 
in  the  Cartulary  of  Preaux  preserved  among  the  archives  of 
Evreux  ",  and  two  charters  of  Inspeximus  on  the  charter- 
rolls  of  Edward  the  First's  reign  in  our  own  Public  Record 
Office. 

The  first  of  these  runs  as  follows  : — 

"From  the  gift  of  William,  King  'of  England,  the  land  of  Anselni  "^ 
and  Wlluric  de  Watintona  in  pure  and  perpetual  alms,  which 
now  we  have  not. 

"  William,  King  of  the  English  [1066 — 1087],  to  Remigius  the 
Bishop  [1067 — 1092],  and  Robert  De  Odi  and  the  rest  of  his 
lieges  greeting. 

"  Know  ye  that  I  wish  that  Saint  Peter  de  Pratellis  may  hold 
the  alms  which  I  give  to  him,  namely  the  land  of  Anselm "  and 

"  Charter  of  'William  the  Conqueror,  circa  1085,  granted  to  the  Abbey  of 
Notre  Dame  de  Preaux. — From  the  Archives  of  the  Department  of  the  Eure, 
at  Evreux,  folio  145,  v°.  Charte,  No.  468. 

••  MS.  Anselmi. 

'  MS.  Alfelmi. 


Grant  of  the  Church  mid  Tithes  of  Newbury.         3 1 

of  Wlurlc  de  Watintona,  as  quietly  and  peacefully  as  other  Saints 
who  have  and  enjoy  alms  of  me.  And  if  any  one  claim  any- 
thing in  it,  let  him  come  to  me  and  shew  me  his  claim. 

"  Likewise  from  his^ift  the  church  of  EstofiA 

"  I  give  also  five  hides  of  land  in  the  vill  which  is  called  Eston 
together  with  the  church  and  the  burial  [rights]  of  the  whole  vill. 
For  I  have  received  the  vill  which  is  called  Saint  Clere  ^  from 
the  abbey  of  Saint  Peter  Pratellis,  and  have  given  it  to  Robert 
my  brother  Count  of  Mori  ton,  and  this  in  exchange  I  return  to  it 
[the  Abbey].  The  truth  is  this  land  formerly  belonged  to 
Chorix  the  Dane. 

"  I  grant  also  other  five  hides  of  land  in  the  vill  which  is 
called  Orlayescoth ',  which  Roger  de  Beaumont  gave  to  Saint 
Peter  de  Pratellis. 

"  I  have  given  also  the  tithe  of  the  vill  which  is  called  Stur- 
minster  and  four  tithes  which  his  sons  have  added,  Robert, 
Count  of  Mellent,  and  [the]  Count  of  Warwick,  that  is  Henry 
of  Moritona  and  of  Nortona  and  of  Vincecera  \sic'\  and  of  Her- 
borbeia  [sic\  s. 

"  I  grant  also  for  the  redemption  of  my  soul  and  [the  soul]  of 
my  wife  Queen  Mathilda  and  of  my  children  these  things  which 
Arnulf  de  Hesdinch  gave  to  Saint  Peter  Pratellis  for  his  soul, 
viz.  the  Church  of  Newberi  and  the  tithe  of  the  whole  rent  or 
issue  of  the  vill,  that  is  of  mills,  and  toll  and  moreover  of  every 
thing  which  can  issue  from  the  vill  from  which  a  tithe  can  be 
made.  He  appointed  also  one  hide  of  land  and  a  priest's  house 
free  from  every  tax  or  custom  or  service. 

"  I  grant  also  the  tithe  of  Straphelh  ^,  and  of  Sagas '  which 


^  Aston  Tirrold  or  Turold,  the  Estone  of  Domesday,  a  village  about  five 
miles  south-west  of  Wallingford. 

'  Probably  Bradfield  St.  Clare,  in  Suffolk.  This  was  the  chief  seat  of  the 
family  of  St.  Cleer,  or  Sancto  Claro.  Hamo  de  St.  Clare  is  mentioned  in  the 
Pipe  Rolls,  in  the  first  year  of  King  John,  and  likewise  in  the  Register  of 
the  Abbey  of  Colchester. 

'  Wolfhamcote,  Warwickshire. 

"  These  names  are  probably  a  misreading  by  the  French  transcriber,  who 
furnished  the  Author  with  a  copy  of  the  original  charter.  "Vincecera"  and 
"  Herborbeia"  [?  Herfordeia]  may  be  intended  for  Winchester  and  Hereford. 
This  charter  is  undated ;  but,  as  Remigius,  Bishop  of  Dorchester,  succeeded 
Wulfius,  who  died  at  Winchester  in  1067,  the  date  is  contained  within  the 
years  1067 — 1087,  when  William  I.  died. 

^  The  "Stradfeld"  of  Domesday,  i.e.  Stratfield-Mortimer,  a  village  seven 
miles  south-west  of  Reading. 

'  Shaw,  near  Newbury. 


32         Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury 

Hugh  son  of  Baldric,  Sherifif  of  Evrohic  (Warwick)  gave  for  the 
fellowship  and  prayers  of  the  monks  at  Pratellis." 

It  will  be  observed  that  while  the  Abbey  is  called  Notre 
Dame  de  Preaux  at  the  head  of  the  charter,  it  is  else- 
where described  as  being  dedicated  in  honour  of  St.  Peter  ; 
the  explanation  is  that  the  Abbey  of  St.  Peter  at  Preaux 
(de  Pratellis)  is  comprised  within  the  parish  of  Notre 
Dame  de  Preaux,  which  is  the  usual  designation. 

The  result  of  the  preceding  grant  or  confirmation  of 
William  I.  was  to  give  to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  land  and 
burial  rights  in  a  viU  in  Berkshire,  namely  Aston  Tirrold, 
in  exchange  for  land  in  Suffolk;  a  portion  of  land  in 
Wolfhamcote,  Warwickshire,  the  tithe  of  a  vill-in  Dorset 
named  Sturminster,  besides  four  other  tithes  not  detailed. 
Next  the  church  of  Newbury,  and  the  whole  tithe  of  the 
vill.  Also  the  tithe  of  Stratfield  Mortimer,  and  Shaw,  at 
no  great  distance  from  Newbury. 

The  next  document  relating  to  Newbury  is  a  Charter  of 
Inspeximus  by  which  King  Henry  II.  confirms  to  the  Abbey 
of  Preaux,  or  Pratellis,  the  Priory  of  Toftes  in  Norfolk 
(a  cell  to  Preaux),  to  which  the  manor  and  church  were 
given  by  Robert,  Earl  of  Mellent  and  Leicester,  temp. 
Hen.  I.,  and  other  benefactions.  It  will  be  seen  that  in  the 
main  details  it  corresponds  with  the  previous  charter. 

Inspeximus  Charter,  13  Edw.  i.  [1285],  in  26,  No.  69. 
Circa,  a.d.  1187. 

"  Henry,  by  the  grace  of  God  King  of  England  and  duke  of 
Normandy  and  Aquitaine,  and  Count  of  Anjou,  to  the  arch- 
bishops, bishops,  abbots,  earls,  barons,  justiciars,  sheriffs,  and 
all  his  bailiffs  and  lieges,  greeting. 

"Know  ye  that  I  have  granted  and  by  this  my  present  charter 
have  confirmed  to  God  and  to  the  abbey  of  Saint  Peter  de  Pratellis 
and  to  the  monks  there  serving  God,  all  the  underwritten  reason- 
able gifts  made  to  them,,  and,  by  the  charters  of  the  donors, 
confirmed.  Both  by  the  gift  of  Roger  de  Bello  Monte  and  of 
his  sons,  with  the  consent  of  King  WilHam  the  son  of  Robert  the 
Marquis,  five  hides  of  land  in  Orlavescote. 

"And  by  the  gift  of  the  aforesaid  King  William,  the  land  of 


to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  in  Normandy.  33 

Anselm  and  Ulveric  of  Watinton  five  hides  of  land  in  Eston 
together  with  the  church  and  the  burial  [rights]  of  the  whole  vill, 
and  in  exchange  for  the  vill  of  Saint  Clair  which  he  had  received 
from  the  abbey  of  Saint  Peter  and  had  given  to  Robert  Count 
of  Moreton,  his  brother. 

"And  by  the  gift  of  Arnulf  of  Hesdinch,  the  church  of  Newbiri 
and  tithes  of  the  whole  vill  or  issues  of  the  vill,  of  the  mill,  of  the 
toll  and  of  everything  which  can  be  tithed,  arid  one  hide  of  land 
and  a  priest's  house  free  from  all  tax  and  custom  and  service, 
King  William  granting  it. 

"  And  by  the  gift  of  Robert  Count  of  Mellent  the  church  and 
tithe  of  Cherlenton  ^  and  the  manor  of  Toftes '  with  its  appur- 
tenances :  To  have  and  to  hold  freely,  with  all  its  liberties  and 
free  customs  as  well  and  freely  as  ever  King  William  himself  and 
the  Count  held  it. 

"  Likewise  from  the  gift  of  the  same  count.  King  Henry  per- 
mitting and  confirming,  the  manor  of  Postebiri™,  to  hold  as  freely 
as  is  aforesaid.  Likewise  from  the  gift  and  grant  of  King  Henry 
himself  that  the  foresaid  monks  De  Pratellis  may  have  and  may 
hold  all  their  [possessions]  well  and  in  peace  and  honourably 
and  freely  just  as  well  as  they  ever  held  them  in  the  time  of  his 
father,  and  that  all  the  demesne  of  the  same  monks  which  they 
had  been  able  to  shew  to  be  theirs  may  be  quit  from  every  toll 
and  custom  and  passage,  as  the  demesne  property  of  the  monks 
of  Fecamp  and  of  Caen  and  of  the  other  abbots.  And  by  the 
gift  of  Henry,  earl  of  Warwick,  the  vill  of  Warminton  °,  free,  with 
all  its  customs,  just  as  he  had  it  in  demesne  except  the  depen- 
dencies which  were  attached  to  that  manor. 

"  Wherefore  I  will  and  firmly  enjoin  that  the  aforesaid  abbey 
of  Saint  Peter  de  Pratellis  and  the  monks  in  it  serving  God  may 
have  and  may  hold  all  the  aforesaid,  in  free  and  perpetual  alms, 
well  and  in  peace,  freely  and  quietly,  entirely  and  fully  and 
honourably  in  churches  and  tithes  and  rents  and  lands,  in  wood 
and  plain,  in  meadows  and  pastures,  in  waters  and  mills,  in  fish- 
stews  and  ponds  and  fisheries  and  turf-diggings  and  marshes  and 
roads  and  pathways  and  in  all  other  places,  and  other  things 


^  Charlton,  Dorset. 
1  Monk's  Toft,  Norfolk. 

^  Possibly  Postbury,  or  Postlebury,  near  Cloford,  Somerset. 
°  Warmington,  d  parish  in  the  county  of  Warwick,  five  miles  (north-west 
by  north)  from  Banbury. 

D 


34        Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury 

pertaining  to  these,   together  with  all  their  liberties   and    free, 
customs  as  the  charters  of  the  donors  testify. 

"  Witnesses. 

"Walter,  Archbishop  of  Rouen  [1183—1197]- 
"  H[ugh],  Bishop  of  Durham  [i  153— "95]- 
"  H[enricu^,  Bishop  of  Bayeux  [1165—1205]. 
"  H[ugh],  Bishop  elect  of  Coventry  [1188— 1198]. 
"Robert  fitz-WilHam,  Archdeacon  of  Nottingham  [ti86 

— 1.187]. 
"John  de  Constancia,  Archdeacon  of  Oxford,  \c.  1186— 

1189]. 
"Count  William  de  Mandeville,  Earl  of  Essex  [1166— 

1 189]. 
"WilHam,  Earl  of  Salisbury  [11 68— 11 96]. 
"WiUiam  de  Humez,  Constable  of  Normandy  [1180— 

H89]. 
"WilHam   fitz-Ralph,   Seneschal  of  Normandy   [1178— 

1 189]. 
"  William  de  la  Mara  [1183 — 1189]. 
"Alfred  de  Sancto  Martino  [1166— ii88]-. 
"  Gilbert  fitz-Reinfrid  [i  180— 1189]. 

At  Caen." 


The  dates  expressed  within  the  brackets  are  those 
established  by  the  occurrence  of  the  names  of  the  indi- 
vidual in  charters  and  other  official  documents ;  and,  as 
the  Bishop-elect  to  Coventry  was  consecrated  in  1188, 
we  may  put  the  date  of  this  charter  at  about  1187.  The 
other  signatures  agree  with  this  time. 

Summarizing  the  contents  of  the  above  charter  it  will 
be  seen  that  it  conveys  to  Pr^aux  five  hides  of  land  in 
Wolfhamcote,  the  land  (not  specified)  of  Anselm  and 
Ulveric,  five  hides  of  land  in  Aston  Tirrold  in  exchange 
for  the  vill  of  St.  Clair  in  Suffolk,  the  advowson  of  the 
church  of  Newbury,  and  the  tithes  of  the  vill,  the  church 
of  Charlton,  in  Dorsetshire,  the  manor  of  Toftes,  in  Nor- 
folk, the  manor  of  Postebury  in  Somerset,  and  the  vill 
of  Warmington  in  Warwickshire. 


to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  in  Normandy.  35 

The  next  Charter  of  Inspeximus  is  in  the  same  series 
of  Rolls,  but  in  the  following  year. 

Inspeximus  Charter,  14  Edw.  I.  [1286],  No.  26. 
Circa  a.d.  1187. 

"The  King  to  his  archbishops,  &c.,  greeting.  We  have  in- 
spected the  charter  which  Robert,  formerly  earl  of  Mellent  and 
Leicester,  made  to  God  and  the  church  of  the  holy  apostles  Peter 
and  Paul  de  Pratellis,  and  to  the  monks  serving  God  there,  in 
these  words.  To  all  sons  of  Holy  Mother  Church,  English, 
French  and  Norman,  Robert,  Earl  of  Mellent  and  Leicester, 
greeting  in  the  true  Saviour  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Know  all  ye  that  I  for  the  welfare  of  my  soul  and  [the  souls] 
of  my  beloved  lord  King  William  and  of  my  ancestors,  have 
given  and  granted  and  by  my  present  charter  have  confirmed  to 
God  and  to  the  church  of  the  holy  apostles  Peter  and  Paul  de 
Pratellis,  and  to  the  monks  there  serving-  God,  the  manor  of 
Thoftes  with  all  its  appurtenances,  viz. : — lands,  woods,  marshes, 
meadows,  diggings  of  turf,  men,  rents,  pastures,  commons,  and 
other  things  whatsoever  belonging  to  the  said  manor  as  freely 
as  my  most  dear  lord  the  illustrious  King  William  gave  it  to  me, 
who  before  me  possessed  it  for  a  little  space.  To  hold  and  to 
possess  to  the  said  monks  and  their  successors,  in  free,  pure  and 
perpetual  alms,  well,  peacefully,  honourably  and  justly,  free  and 
quit  from  shires,  and  suits  from  hundreds,  pleas,  complaints, 
customs  and  all  royal  demands,  with  sac",  socage?,  thoH,  thif', 
infongenthef,  and  hutfongenethef ',  and  with  free  warren  in  the 
parishes  of  Thoftes  and  of  Haddescho'  and  Thorp '^,  with  all 
other  liberties. 

"  I  have  added  also  to  this  gift  the  right  of  patronage  of  the 
church  of  Saint  Michael  of  Eston,  the  right  of  patronage  of  the 
church  of  Saint  Leonard  of  Wyley ",  the  right  of  patronage  of 

"  The  power  of  hearing  and  deciding  causes,  levying  fines,  executing  laws, 
and  administering  justice  within  certain  precincts. 

p  A  tenure  of  land  by  inferior  services  in  husbandry,  to  be  performed  to  the 
lord  of  the  fee. 

1  The  liberty  of  buying  and  selling,  or  keeping  a  market ;  the  customary 
dues  or  rents  paid  to  a  lord  of  a  manor  for  his  profits  of  the  fair  or  market. 
A  tribute  or  custom  for  passage. 

■■  The  punishment  of  theft. 

■  Infangentheof  and  hutfangentheof  are  respectively  the  power  of  judging 
a  thief  caught  within  or  without  their  jurisdiction. 

'  Haddiscoe,  a  parish  in  Norfolk,  about  five  miles  from  Beccles. 

"  Thorpe-next-Haddiscoe.  •  Willey,  Warwickshire. 

D  2 


36         Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury 

the  church  of  Saint  Michael  of  Cherlinton,  the  right  of  patronage 
of  the  church  of  Saint  Nicholas  of  Newburi,  together  with  the 
tithes,  rents,  offerings,  pensions  to  the  said  churches  pertaining. 

"  Likewise  in  the  vill  of  Nyuburi  the  tithe  of  the  whole  rent  or 
issue  of  the  vill,  that  is  of  mills,  of  toll,  and  of  everything  which 
can  be  tithed  or  might  be  in  the  future,  together  with  one  hide 
of  land  free  from  every  tax,  suit  of  court,  and  custom,  and  every 
secular  service,  all  of  which  '  Arnulph  del  Hesdinck,  count  del 
Perche,'  lord  of  Newburi,  gave  to  me  to  the  use  of  the  alms 
of  the  foresaid  monks. 

"I  have  given  moreover  to  my  aforesaid  monks  the  village 
which  is  called  Orlaveschote  y  and  five  hides  of  land  pertaining 
to  it,  free  and  absolved  from  shires,  from  hundreds,  pleas,  com- 
•  plaints,  aids,  customs,  secular  services,  all  demands  and  all  ex- 
actions which  the  human  mind  knows  or  shall  know,  can  or 
could  in  the  future  think  of.  I  have  given  also  to  the  monks 
aforesaid  another  manor  by  name  Spedeburi  ^,  together  with  the 
whole  vill,  lands,  woods,  meadows,  pastures,  river  banks,  mills, 
men,  their  services,  capitations  [?  capitagid],  rents  and  all  things 
to  the  said  manor  and  vill  belonging,  free  and  absolved  from 
shires,  from  suits,  from  hundreds,  pleas,  complaints,  aids,  cus- 
toms, secular  services  and  every  royal  forced  service  \angaria'\ 
with  socage,  sac,  thol,  thif,  infongenethif,  with  all  other  liberties. 
All  these  aforewritten  I  Robert  the  aforesaid  earl  have  given  to 
God  and  to  the  church  and  monks  aforesaid  to  hold,  possess  and 
have  as  freely,  tranquilly  and  honourably  as  any  alms  in  the 
Kingdom  of  England  can  be  given  or  held. 

"And  lest  any  one  in  future  with  rash  daring  may  dare  to  go 
against  my  gifts  made  with  the  intention  of  charity,  I  have  given 
the  present  charter  to  the  aforesaid  monks,  fortified  with  the 
impression  of  my  seal  in  the  presence  of — 

"  The  lord  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

"  The  lord  Archbishop  of  York. 

"The  lords  bishops  of  Salisbury,  Norwich,  [and]  Coventry. 

"  The  earls  of  Gloucester,  Salisbury,  del  Perche,  Moritone, 
Warwick,  and  many  others,  barons,  knights,  clerks, 
nobles,  and  free  men. 

"  We  moreover  the  gift,  &c.  confirm,  &c. 
"Given  with  our  hand  at  Westminster,  the  27th  day  of  April 
[1286]." 

^  Wolfhamcote,  Warwickshire.  »  Spetisbury,  Dorset. 


to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  in  Nonnandy. 


37 


This  last  charter  gives  to  Preaux  the  manor  of  Tofts, 
with  liberties  there  and  at  Haddiscoe  and  Thorp,  in  Nor- 
folk, the  advowsons  of  the  churches  of  St.  Michael,  Aston 
Tirrold,  St.  Leonard,  Willey,  Warwickshire,  and  St.  Nicho- 
las, Newbury,  and  the  tithe  of  the  vill  of  Wolfhamcote, 
Warwickshire,  with  five  hides  of  land,  and  the  manor  of 
Spettisbury,  Dorsetshire ". 

It  may  be  here  mentioned  that  Preaux  is  a  parish  in 
the  diocese  of  Lisieux,  about  five  miles  south  of  Pont  Au- 
demer,  and  in  1 879  it  contained  390  inhabitants. 


"  In  the  record  known  as  the  Taxation  of-  Pope  Nicholas  IV.,  circa  A.D. 
1291,  granting  the  tenths  of  all  ecclesiastical  benefices  to  King  Edward  the 
First  for  six  years,  towards  defraying  the  expense  of  an  expedition  to  the 
Holy  Land,  we  find  the  particulars  of  the  property  of  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  in 
England  given  as  follows  : — 


Page. 

Arch- 
deaconry. 

Rural 
Deanery. 

Property. 

Taxation. 

43  t>. 

Oxon. 

Aston. 

Prior  de  Pratellis  ultra  mare  "j 
habet  in  Watlington  de  > 
redd".                                  j 

8    0 

d. 
0 

103 

""Norwich. 
1 

Broke. 

A  de  Pratell  cum  priore  del 
Toftes  de  t'r  and  cons.     / 

3  14 

I 

114  b. 

)j 

>j 

In  Toft  de  tr'a  redd'  mo-\ 
lend'  et  fetur  animal'.       J 

40  16 

lOJ 

177 

Dorset. 

Shaftesbury. 

Porcio  Abb'isse  de  P'tein 
in     Eccl'ia     de     Sture  > 
P'tell.                                 J 

2    0 

0 

184  b. 

" 

Whitchurch. 

Abbas   de    P'tell    Sp'ttes-\ 
bury  and  Cherlton.           J 

12    0 

0 

185  b. 

Sarum. 

Chalk. 

Abb'isse  de  P'tell. 

3    0 

0 

187  b. 

Berks. 

Newbury. 

Pensio  Prioris  de   PratelH 
in  eadem.                           j 

0  13 

4 

191 

" 

Abingdon. 

Prior     de      Pratellis      (in' 
Estone).                           ,j' 

7    0 

0 

192 

>j 

Newbury. 

Prior  de  Pratellis  in  New- " 
bury.                                     ; 

2    0 

0 

195  b. 

)j 

Abingdon. 

Videl't  in  sp'ual  De  porc'oe") 
Prior  de  Pratell'  in  Eston  \ 
in  Decanatu  Abingdon.    ) 

I    0 

0 

)? 

jj 

De    porc'oe     ejusdem    in' 
Ecc'a  de  Newbury.          j ' 

0    6 

8 

It'  in  temp'al'  de  Eston'  in  \ 
Decanatu  porc'oe  de  > 
Abend.  J 

Neubur'. 


3  10 


38         Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury 

There  were  two  monasteries  there — the  abbey  for  monks 
called  St.  Pierre  de  Preaux,  and  the  convent  of  St.  Leo- 
degar,  or  St.  Leger  de  Preaux.  Both  were  founded  by- 
Humphrey  de  Vieilles,  or  de  Vetulis,  son  of  Turold  of 
Pont  Audemer,  and  father  of  Roger  de  Bellomont; — the 
abbey  shortly  before  the  departure  of  Robert  I.  for  the 
Holy  Land  in  103S,  and  the  convent  soon  afterwards. 

The  story  told  in  the  Records  ^  is  that  Ansegisus,  Abbot 
of  Fontanelle,  bequeathed  fifteen  solidi  in  the  reign  of 
Louis  the  Pious  to  this  monastery,  which  was  levelled  with 
the  ground,  as  were  nearly  all  others  in  these  parts,  by  the 
inroads  of  the  Danes.  A  .noble  knight,  Humphrey  de 
Vetulis,  son  of  Turold,  began  to  rebuild  it  from  the  foun- 
dations, with  the  assistance  of  his  wife  Albereda,  on  an 
estate  of  his  called  Pratelli,  in  honour  of  St.  Peter,  and 
liberally  endowed  it.  With  the  advice  of  his  friend  Gra- 
dulfus.  Abbot  of  Fontanelle,  he  arranged  the  buildings  of 
the  new  monastery,  and  committed  the  rule  thereof  to 
him.  Monks  were  brought  thither  from  Fontanelle,  and 
Gradulfus  appointed'  Ansfridus  abbot  in  his  stead.  Hum- 
phrey's charter  is  granted  with  the  assent  of  "Robert,  Duke 
of  Normandy,  and  William  his  son.  The  date  must  be 
before  1035,  when  Robert  died  on  his  way  to  Jerusalem. 
Roger  de  Bellomont,  Earl  of  Mellent,  eldest  son  of  Hum- 
phrey by  his  wife  Adelina,  finished  the  abbey  with  the 
assent  of  his  brother,  the  Great  Steward  of  Normandy,  who 
is  praised  by  Ordericus  as  the  second  founder.  Roger 
granted  thereto  a  tenth  of  the  revenues  of  Pont  Audemer 
with  other  lands  and  tithes.  Robert,  Earl  of  Leicester  and 
Mellent,  son  of  Roger,  and  his  brother  Henry,  Earl  of 
Warwick,  added  to  the  grants. 

Thirty-six  parish  churches  were  at  one  time  subject  to 
the  monastery,  but  the  number  was  ultimately  reduced. 
.  Such  was  the  authority  that  in  Pont  Audemer  no  priests, 
nor  religious  persons,  nor  nuns,  were  allowed  to  reside,  and 
no  churches  nor  chapels  to  be  built,  without  leave  from 
the  abbey. 

''  See  Gallia  Christiana,  vol.  xi.  p.  834. 


to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  in  Normandy.  39 

It  will  have  been  observed  from  the  first  charter  given 
above  that  among  certain  confirmations  made  by  William 
I.  of  grants  to  the  abbey  of  St.  Pierre  de  Preaux  is  one 
by  Ernulf  of  Hesding.  The  question  which  naturally 
arises  is — what  was  his  interest  or  connection  with  Preaux 
that  he  should  make  this  grant  to  that  monastery  ? 

As  regards  the  gifts  of  Robert  de  Beaumont,  they  are 
easily  understood,  as  he  was  a  direct  descendant  of  the 
founder,  Humphrey  de  Vetulis.  But  in  the  absence  of 
any  contemporary  evidence,  after  a  long  and  scrupulous 
investigation,  which  throws  any  light  on  the  general  inci- 
dents in  the  life  and  history  of  Ernulf  of  Hesding,  we  have 
no  positive  knowledge  which  will  explain  the  circumstance 
of  his  connection  with  the  abbey  of  Preaux.  There  is, 
however,  nothing  exceptional  in  the  fact  that  he  should 
devote  a  portion  of  his  great  wealth,  acquired  in  a  foreign 
land,  to  a  religidus  house  in  his  own  country,  which  does 
not  necessarily  imply  any  special  interest  in  that  foun- 
dation, as  we  find  that  he  made  gifts  to  the  great  abbey 
of  Bee  and  many  other  Norman  monasteries.  The  Con- 
queror's followers,  as  Orderic  Vitalis  tells  us,  were  only 
too  ready  to  heap  benefactions  upon  these  monastic  estab- 
lishments, which  were  nobly  enriched  with,  the  splendid 
endowments  thus  bestowed  upon  them.  Moreover,  they 
in  thus  manifesting  their  love  for  the  King  supreme,  com- 
mended themselves  at  the  same  time  to  the  prayers  of  the 
Church. 

The  connection  of  the  Mellent  family  with  this  part  of 
Berkshire,  and  at  this  period,  is  illustrated  by  two  charters 
preserved  to  us  in  the  Abingdon  Chronicle ".  There  is  no 
year  given  in  the  charters,  but  the  editor  of  the  Chronicle 
dates  them  both  about  11 11. 

The  first  of  these  is  a  writ  of  Henry  I.,  addressed  to 
the  thanes  of  the  Earl  of  Mellent,  requiring  them  to  see 
that  the  abbey  of  Abingdon  shall  have  quiet  possession 
of  its  lands  at  Welgrave  [Wargrave .?],  and  it  is  witnessed 


"  Chronicon    Monasterii    De    Abingdon,    Rolls    Series,  vol.    ii.    pp.  77 
and  83. 


40         Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury 

by  Ranulfus,  the  Chancellor  *,  and  John  of  Bayeux,  AT 
Newbury.     ("Apud  Niuueberiam.") 

The  other  charter,  not  dated,  was  also  given  at  NEW- 
BURY ("  apud  Niweberiam  "),  and  witnessed  by  the  Chan- 
cellor.    It  relates  to  woods  in  the  neighbourhood. 

It  will  now  be  well  to  refer  somewhat  in  detail  to  Ernulf 
of  Hesding,  the  donor  of  the  church  of  Newbury,  who  may 
be  regarded  as  its  founder,  as  the  grant  of  a  church  and 
lands  to  an  abbey  was  not  unfrequently  at  this  time  the 
actual  foundation  and  building  of  such  an  institution  set 
apart  and  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God. 

The  name  of  Hesding  is  spelt  in  a  variety  of  ways,  as  has 
been  seen,  and  it  is  generally  supposed  that  JErnulf  took 
his  name  from  the  town  in  Artois  called  Hesdin »,  which 
lies  towards  the  south-western  extremity  of  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Pas  de  Calais.  Its  early  history  is  neither 
more  nor  less  remarkable  than  that  of  the  average  of 
towns,  but  at  that  stage  when  we  should  expect  to  learn 
something  of  Ernulf  we  only  hear  of  a  certain  Walter 
of  Hesdin  ;  and  this  seems  to  suggest  that  the  benefactor 
to  Newbury  may  have  derived  his  name  from  some  other 
place.  The  signature  of  this  Walter  of  Hesdin  as  Count 
of  Artois  is  annexed  to  a  charter  of  the  Count  of  Ghisne, 
dated  as  early  as  1065,  and  we  find  him,  or  his  grandson, 
amongst  the  conspirators  in  the  story  of  the  assassination 
of  Charles  the  Good,  Count  of  Flanders  in  1127.     That  no 

■i  As  Ranulf,  the  King's  Chancellor,  died  in  1123,  and  as  Hugh  de  Buck- 
land,  to  whom  the  second  charter  is  addressed,  died  about  liiSi  both  char- 
ters must  have  been  executed  in  the  first  half  of  King  Henry's  reign. 

'  The  names  of  the  Counts  of  Hesdin,  whose  title  was  derived  from  the 
town  of  Hesdin  in  Artois,  occur  in  the  following  succession,  and  wholly  ex- 
clude the  name  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding  from  the  list  of  Counts  : — 

I.  Alulfe,  Count  of  Hesdin,  a  monk  of  the  monastery  of  St.  Guingalais,  or 
St.  Saviour,  at  Montreuil-sur-mer,  in  looo.  A  charter  of  Alulfe's  is  in  "Gal- 
lia Christiana,"  tom.  x.  col.  283. '  2.  Gauthier,  or  Walter,  son  and  successor 
of  Alulfe.  He  is  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  affairs  of  Philip  I.,  at 
Corbie,  in  1065  ;  the  same  Walter  to  whom  reference  has  already  been  made. 
3.  Enguerand,  eldest  son  of  Gauthier,  succeeded  his  father.  He  completed 
the  re-establishment  of  the  Abbey  d'Auchi-les-Moines  in  1079,  and  founded 
the  Priory  of  St.  George  near  Hesdin.  4.  Gautier  II.,  nephew  of  Engue- 
rand. Was  deprived  of  the  Countship  of  Hesdin  by  Charles  the  Good.  He 
died  in  1126.  5.  Anselm,  succeeded  on  the  deposition  of  Gautier  II.  His 
name  occurs  in  a  charter  of  H26.  6.  Bernard,  succeeded  as  Count  d'Hesdin 
in  1 148.     7.   Guy,  son  of  Bernard. 


to  the  Abhey  of  Preaux  in  Normandy.  41 

other  Hesdin  was  in  existence  at  that  time  is  but  sorry 
evidence  that  there  was  no  other  place  of  that  name,  or 
similar  to  this  name.  Indeed  as  an  illustration  of  the 
total  loss  of  a  name,  as  well  as  a  possible  suggestion,  it 
may  be  noted  that  William  of  Jumieges  speaks  of  the 
ancient  name  of  Arques,  near  Dieppe,  being  '  Hasdans,' 
i.e.  'Statio  Navium  apud  Hasdans,  quse  Archas  dicitur.' 
(Gul.  Gemmel.  apud  Bouquet,  vol.  xi.  p.  81.) 

Few  of  the  presumed  followers  of  the  Conqueror  in 
his  campaign  appear  as  tenants  in  capite  of  so  many 
estates  in  England  at  the  time  of  the  Domesday  Sur- 
vey as  Ernulf  de  Hesding,  and  an  idea  of  the  vast 
extent  of  the  property  held  by  him  in  England  under 
the  Crown  may  be  formed  from  the  fact  that  he  was 
lord  of  48  manors  consisting  of  251  hides,  and  yield- 
ing an  annual  return  of  .^348  2s.  8d.  of  money  of  the 
time. 

The  Domesday  Survey  thus  gives  us  an  insight  into  the 
wealth  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding,  and  further,  the  Cartulary 
of  St.  Peter's  of  Gloucester,  which  has  been  preserved  and 
printed,  enables  us  to  add  some  other  details  as  to  the 
disposition  of  his  property  in  one  or  two  cases,  and  helps 
us  to  fill  up  the  sketch  of  the  man  who  gave  the  church 
of  Newbury  to  Preaux. 

Following  alphabetical  order  we  come  first  to  Ha- 
therop : — 

"Emulph  ol  Hesdyng  gave  the  Church  of  Heythrop,  Lynk- 
holt,  and  one  mill,  with  the  lands  of  the  Presbyter  and  the  Church 
of  Kynemerford  [Kempsford]  with  the  lands  of  the  Priest ;  more- 
over the  lands  and  pastures,  and  liberties,  which  we  possess  there. 
Patrick  de  Cadurcis  ^,  and  Mathilda  his  wife  testify  to  the  same, 
and  the  confirmation  of  their  heirs  confirm  the  same  by  their 
charter  in  all  four  charters.     Now  in  the  fourth  Pagan  the  son 

*  Patrick  de  Cadurcis  took  his  name  from  the  town  of  Cahors,  or  Cadurcee, 
in  Gwienne.  As  Cahors,  or  Chaurz,  was  Latinized  Cadurcse,  so  was  the  dis- 
trict afterwards  called  the  Quercy,  known  at  one  period  as  the  /'agus  Cadur- 
cinus.  The  much  later  rendering  of  the  generic  term  "  De  Cadurcis  "  by  the 
name  "Chaworth"  was  a  mere  Anglicanism,  the  gradual  result  of  the  sever- 
ance of  its  continental  dependencies  from  the  English  Crown.  There  is  no 
authentic  mention  of  the  form  "Chaworth  "  within  the  time  contemplated  by 
this  enquiry. 


42         Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury 

of  Patrick  de  Cadurcis,  of  his  own  gift,  grants  that  he  and  his 
heirs  by  their  own  people  and  at  their  own  cost  shall  cause  to  be 
measured  out  and  enclose  the  tenth  of  his  domain  of  Kemps- 
ford. 

"King  Henry  the  elder  confirms  the  same.  Bishop  Johns 
[1151-58]  confirms  the  same,  and  of  his  gift  grants  us  four  marks 
annually  in  the  Church  of  Kempsford,  in  the  time  of  Abbot  Serlo 
[i.e.  1072 — 1104]^" 

Again,  somewhat  later  in  the  series,  under  the  heading 
of  Lynkeholt,  he  mentions  the  gift  and  fortunately  gives 
the  date  of  its  presentation. 

"  Ernulf  of  Hesdyng  (sic)  gave  to  God  and  to  St.  Peter  of 
Gloucester,  Lynkeholte  [i.e.  Linkenholt']  on  the  day  of  the  Puri- 
fication of  the  Virgin  Mary  (February  2),  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1 08 1,  at  Salisbury,  King  William  the  Elder  consenting  to  and 
confirming  the  same.     In  the  time  of  the  Abbot  Serlo  [1072 — 

II04]k." 

We  then  come  to  the  abstracts  of  the  charters ;  and, 
though  these  amount  to  the  large  number  of  908,  there  are 
very  few  which  are  original  charters  giving  the  dates  when 
the  land  was  first  granted,  but  nearly  all  are  Confirmation 
Charters  of  Kings,  Bishops,  &c.,  reciting  the  gifts  in  a 
shorter  form. 

Taking  first  of  all  the  gifts  of  the  churches  of  Hatherop 
and  of  Kempsford,  the  first  document  transcribed  is  the 
Charter  of  Confirmation  by  King  William  the  Conqueror. 
It  begins : — 

"In  the  year  of  our  Lord  1086,  I,  WilHam,  King  of  the  Eng- 
lish, on  the  petition  of  Serlo,  Abbot  of  Gloucester,  &c.,  grant 
to  God  and  the  Church  of  St.  Peter  the  lands,  &c.  (here  follows 
other  benefactions).  The  Church  also  of  Hadrop  with  the  tythe 
and  the  land  of  the  Priest,  and  one  mill  there  with  the  land 
belonging  to  it.     Another  Church  also,  that  of  Kynemereford, 


B  There  was  no  John  Bishop  of  Worcester  till  John  of  Pagean,  1151.     The 
charters  are  therefore  placed  in  wrong  order. 

i"  Cart.  Monast.  St.  Petri,  Glouc,  Rolls  Series,  vol.  i.  p.  89. 
Linkenholt  is  about  ten  miles  south-west  of  Newbury.     It  is  Hampshire, 
but  close  to  the  borders  of  Berkshire  on  the  north,  and  Wiltshire  on  the  west. 

''  Cart.  Monast.  Glouc,  p.  93. 


to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  in  Normandy.  43 

with  the  tithe  and  the  land :  these  Ernulf  of  Hesding  had  given 
to  the  Church  >." 

The  Confirmation  does  not  mention  Linkenholty  though, 
as  seen  by  the  scribe's  summary,  it  had  already  been 
granted  as  early  as  108 1.  Moreover,  elsewhere  in  the 
Cartulary  he  gives  what  can  scarcely  be  called  a  charter, 
but  a  note  referring  to  the  original  grant.     It  runs : — 

"  In  the  year  following  (but  being  separated  from  the  original 
context  this  tells  nothing)  Arnulph  of  Hesdinge  gave  to  the  Church 
of  the  same  St.  Peter's  the  land  which  is  called  Linkeholte  by  the 
concession  of  William,  King  of  England.  Which  was  done  at 
Salisbury  on  the  Feast  of  the  Purification.'' 

He,  however,  gives  all  the  witnesses  : — 

"  King  William  (1066-87),  his  Queen  Matilda  (1053-83),  Count 
Robert  his  son  (ob.  1 135),  Archbishop  Lanfranc  (1070-93),  Arch- 
bishop Thomas  of  York  (1070-96),  Bishop  Osmund  of  Salisbury 
(1078 — 1107),  and  Bishop  Walkelin  of  Winchester  (1070 — 1107), 
agreeing  with  the  date  loSi,  as  they  limit  it  to  between  1078- 
83  °i." 

Later  on  in  the  Gloucester  Cartulary  we  have  an  ori- 
ginal copied,  which  runs  as  follows : — 

"  Let  all  present  and  future  know  that  I,  Emmelina,  wife  of 
Emulph  of  Hestink  (sic),  for  the  salvation  of  my  lord,. and  my 
own,  and  of  my  father  and  mother,  have  given  to  St.  Peter's,  &c., 
the  Church  of  Norton.  These  are  the  witnesses,  Roger  the  son 
of  Dodo"." 

There  is  given  in  another  place  a  Confirmation  of  this 
gift  which  Emelina,  wife  of  Ernulf  of  Hesdine  gave  to 
St.  Peter's  by  Robert,  Bishop  of  Lincoln,  (i.e.  1093 — 
1123)°, 

'  Cart.  Monast.  Glouc,  i.  p.  334. 

■"  Ibid.,  p.  386.  It  should  be  observed  that  in  the  Domesday  Survey  Ernulf 
does  not  appear  as  a  tenant  in  capite  of  Linkenholt,  but  undpr  the  holding 
of  the  land  of  the  church  of  Gloucester.  In  Hampshire  (fol.  47)  occurs  the 
foUovidng  :  ' '  The  Abbot  holds  Linchehor,  Ernulf  of  Hesdine  gave  it  to  the 
Church  by  concession  of  King  William." 

°  Ibid.,  ii.  p.  45.  The  signatures  break  oif  suddenly,  and  no  means  are 
given  of  ascertaining  the  date.  As  the  gift  is  not  confirmed  by  William  the 
Conqueror  it  may  have  been  later  than  1086.  It  may  be  added  that  in  the 
MS.  some  later  hand  has  put  Chipping  Norton  to  this,  to  distinguish  the 
place  from  Cold  Norton  and  Hook  Norton.  "  Ibid.,  ii.  p.  46. 


44         Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury 

King  Stephen's  charter,  dated  1138,  confirms  "Linke- 
holth  of  the  gift  of  Ernulf  of  Hesdich  \sic\,  and  also  the 
Churches  of  Ethrop  and  Kynemereford,  &c.,"  and  the  gift 
of  the  Church  at  Norton  "  by  Ernulf  of  Hesding  and  Erne- 
line  his  wife." 

In  the  same  words,  and  about  the  same  time  probably, 
is  the  Confirmation  Charter  of  Theobald,  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury,  1139 — 1148P, 

There  are  two  sets  of  Confirrnation  Charters  of  Henry 
II.  (1154-89),  almost  the  same  throughout"*,  and  one  of 
Roger,  Bishop  of  Worcester  (1164 — 1179),  as  regards  the 
church  of  Hatherop  ^,  which  do  not  throw  any  fresh  light 
on  the  matter.  But  incidentally  Patrick  de  Cadurcis  and 
Matilda  his  wife  =,  in  a  grant,  mention  Ernulf  de  Hesding's 
gift  of  the  churches  of  Hatherop,  Linkenholt,  and  Kemps- 
ford  to  the  abbey  of  Gloucester.  There  remains  but  one 
more  charter  to  note,  which  runs  as  follows  : — 

"I  R(otrou),  Count  of  Perche,  grant  to  the  monks  of  the 
Church  of  St.  Peter  at  Gloucester  those  things  which  I  have  heard 
have  been  given  in  the  vill  of  Kempsford,  by  Ernulf  of  Hesdinge 
and  Patrick  de  Cadurcis,  free  and  quiet  as  they  had  them  when 
they  were  living'." 

The  scribe  has  unfortunately  neither  copied  the  dates, 
nor  given  the  names  of  the  witnesses  from  which  the  date 
might  approximately  be  ascertained. 

The  question  may  be  asked,  perhaps,  what  Earl  of 
Perche  it  was  who  granted  lands  at  Kempsford,  or  rather 
confirmed  them,  because  he  had  heard  "CasX  Ernulf  and  Patrick 
de  Cadurcis  had  so  granted  them?  The  letter  "R"  is  all 
that  helps  to  any  identification. 

At  the  time  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding's  death,  circa  1095, 
Geoffrey,  the  third  of  that  name,  was  Lord  of  Perche.  He 
had  succeeded  his  father,  Rotrou  II.,  in  1079,  ^""^  ^^^ 
married  Beatrix  de  Roucy.  His  son,  Rotrou  III.,  suc- 
ceeded in  1 100,  and  continued  Earl  of  Perche  up  to  his 

p  Cart.  Monast.  Glouc,  i.  pp.  226,  227. 

1  Ibid.,  i.  pp.  35t),  351  ;  and  ii.  pp.  126,  127.  '  Ibid.,  i.  p.  327. 

^  Ibid.,  i.  p.  340.  '  Ibid.,  i.  p. 343. 


to  the  A  bbey  of  Priaux  in  Normandy.  45 

death  in  1143.  He  it  was  who  married  the  ill-fated 
Matilda,  who  was  drowned  at  sea  in  the  Blanche  Nef.  His 
second  wife  was  Hawise,  daughter  of  Walter,  Earl  of 
Salisbury,  son  of  Edward  of  Salisbury.  She  was  sister  of 
Earl  Patrick,  whose  mother  is  considered  to  have  been 
Sibil  de  Hesding,  sister  of  Matilda,  the  presumed  wife  of 
Patrick  de  Cadurcis,  and  this  marriage  of  Rotrou  with 
Hawise  may  probably  account  for  the  interest  which 
the  Earls  of  Perche  acquired  in  Ernulf  de  Hesding's  pos- 
sessions. 

Elsewhere  we  have  further  documentary  evidence  re- 
specting Ernulf  of  Hesding,  notably  in  the  Hyde  Abbey 
Chronicle,  which  was  compiled  about  1121.  The  writer, 
who  was  thus  a  contemporary  with  Ernulf,  describes  the 
conspiracy  of  Robert  de  Mowbray,  Earl  of  Northumber- 
land, against  his  King  in  the  year  109S.  How  he  was 
captured,  and  how  William  of  Eu  also  was  taken,  and 
by  the  King's  orders  deprived  of  sight,  and  how  William 
de  Aldriato,  William  Rufus'  steward,  was  also  condemned 
to  .be  hung.     He  then  proceeds  : — 

^'■YxwAi  oi  Hednith  (sic),  tall  of  stature,  of  remarkable  energy, 
and  abounding  in  wealth,  was  accused  before  the  King,  unjustly, 
and  out  of  envy.  At  length  when  by  wager  of  battle,  undertaken 
by  one  of  his  own  men,  against  one  of  the  King's  men,  he  ha'd 
defended  himself  and  became  victorious,  he  was  moved  by  such 
great  sorrow  and  anger  [at  the  unjust  charge]  that  he  gave  up 
everything  which  belonged  to  the  King  in  England,  and,  though 
the  King  was  unwilling  and  opposed  him,  he  departed  :  Having 
taken  a  number  of  Christians  with  him  for  companions,  he  tra- 
velled as  far  as  Antioch  and  there  died.  And  when  he  was  ill, 
and  the  chief  physician  attempted  to  cure  him,  he  is  said  to  have 
replied,  '  It  is  the  Lord  who  conquers,  wherefore  let  no  physician 
touch  me  excepting  He  for  Whose  love  I  have  undertaken  this 
pilgrimage  °.' " 

So  far  the  anonymous  chronicler  and  his  story  bear  all 
the  mark  of  plain  honest  truth.  The  wager  of  battle  was 
the  usual  resort  in  such  cases,  the  combatants  employed 
their  attorneys,  so  to  speak,  to  battle  for  them.     We  may 

"  Liber  Monast.  de  Hyda  (Rolls  Series),  p.  301. 


46        Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury 

add  that  the  pilgrimage  of  1096  was  in  fact  the  beginning 
of  the  series  of  Crusades. 

Another  incident  in  Ernulf  s  life  we  glean  from  William 
of  Malmesbury,  who  in  his  "  Gesta  Pontificum,"  which  he 
compiled  in  A.D.  1125,  tells  certain  miraculous  stories 
attendant  on  visits  to  St.  Aldhelm's  tomb  at  Malmesbury, 
and  in  the  course  of  them  refers  to  Ernulf.  He  has  been 
narrating  recorded  miracles  ;  he  now  relates  what  he  had 
seen  himself. 

"  Let  Ernulf  da  Hesding  (he  says)  be  brought  forward  as 
a  witness.  A  man  amongst  the  nobles  of  England,  the  wealthiest 
(inter  optimates  Anglise  optimatissimus).  Admirable  for  his 
attention  to  all  that  belonged  to  agriculture,  admirable  for  boun- 
tifully alleviating  the  wants  of  the  poor,  so  punctilious  was  he 
in  payment  of  tythes,  that  if  one  of  his  barns  which  had  not  paid 
tythes  was  still  untaxed,  he  ordered  everything  to  be  taken  out 
and  immediately  to  be  tythed.  He  made  it  not  more  his 
business  to  see  that  his  land  produce  was  for  his  own  advantage, 
by  the  divine  favour,  than  to  take  care  that  there  was  no  fraud 
in  the  tything  of  it.  He  was  afflicted  with  such  a  grievous 
disease  of  the  hands,  that,  besides  the  running  ulcers,  the  nerves 
were  affected  with  a  tremulous  action.  He  could  not  use  his 
hands  for  any  purpose  whatever,  and  at  his  meals  had  to  be 
assisted  by  others.  Wherefore  he  took  counsel  that  he  should 
go  to  Malmesbury,  and  there  test  the  ability  of  a  certain  Gregory, 
a  famous  physician  there.  And  when  this  physician  had  tried 
all  the  resources  of  his  art  in  vain,  he  declared  at  length  that 
the  disease  was  incurable  and  must  be  left  to  fate.  But  the 
abbot  thought  that  some  of  the  saint's  miracles  should  be  at- 
tempted, and  so  ordered  that  some  balsam  which  had  been  found 
in  the  tomb  should  be  brought  and  rubbed  on  his  hands.  How 
beautiful  was  it !  Immediately  that  a  drop  of  the  precious  liquor 
touched  the  hand  the  tremor  of  the  nerves  ceased,  the  ulcerous 
matter  dried  up,  and  in  a  yery  few  days  afterwards  he  was 
healed  ^" 

And  it  is  sufficiently  clear  that  it  was  in  consequence 
of  this  miracle  that  the  devotion  of  this  illustrious  man 

*  W.  Malmesburiensis— Gesta  Pontificum.  Edit.  Hamilton  (Rolls  Series), 
P-  437- 


to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  in  Normandy.  47 

was  increased  so  that,  despising  both  the  necessaries  of 
life  and  the  accumulation  of  wealth,  he  set  out  for  Jerusa- 
lem with  little  hope  of  return. 

Again  in  this  case  the  chronicler,  writing  of  events  with 
which  he  was  a  contemporary,  may  be  relied  on.  His 
being  at  Malmesbury,  the  scene  of  the  cure,  adds  additional 
value  to  his  evidence.  We  may  disbelieve  or  otherwise 
interpret  the  miracle,  but  so  far  as  the  fact  of  Ernulf  de 
Hesding's  trouble,  and  his  subsequent  journey  to  the  Holy 
Land,  we  have  here  good  history. 

These  details,  when  put  together,  though  trifling,  per- 
haps, in  themselves,  help  to  enable  us  to  realise  the  man 
of  fine  stature  and  industrious  of  habit,  as  the  chronicler 
tells  us  (and  there  is  no  reason  to  suppose  any  spurious 
adulation) ;  rich  and  powerful  as  the  Domesday  Survey 
shews  ;  in  favour  with  King  William  H.,  as  he  had  been 
no  doubt  with  his  father,  as  his  presence  at  Winchester  as 
a  witness  to  the  Foundation  Charter  granting  the  abbey 
of  St.  Peter's,  Bath,  in  augmentation  of  the  Bishopric  of 
Somerset,  also  shews  ;  pious  and  generous  as  the  Glouces- 
ter Cartulary  proves ; — but,  on  the  other  hand,  afflicted 
with  a  painful  disease,  which  seems  to  have  affected  his 
hands,  while  allowance  may  be  made  for  the  chronicler's 
exaggeration  of  the  malady,  his  depreciation  of  the  phy- 
sician's skill,  and  his  pious  belief  in  the  efficacy  of  the 
balsam  from  Aldhelm's  tomb. 

This  account  is  of  more  value  to  us  than  a  mere  story. 
It  tells  us  that  Ernulf  of  Hesding  left  the  country  never 
to  return  to  it,  and  resigned  all  the  lands  he  held  of  the 
King  into  his  hands,  and  it  fixes  the  date  of  such  depar- 
ture. It  also  offers  a  key  to  some  of  the  difficulties  which 
otherwise  might  meet  us.  We  do  not  hear  of  his  name 
afterwards,  and  we  find  other  names  associated  with  the 
lands  with  which  he  is  identified  in  the  Domesday  Survey. 

There  are  some  special  points  to  be  borne  in  mind. 
First,  we  have  seen  that  Ernulf,  after  having  been  sus- 
pected by  William  Rufus  of  treason,  and  put  to  the  "  wager 
of  battle,"  left  the  country  in  disgust,  throwing  up  all  his 
numerous  holdings.     This  was  in  or  just  after  1095,  at  the 


48         Grant  of  the  Church  and  Tithes  of  Newbury. 

time  when  he  was  possessed  of  the  forty  or  fifty  manors 
ascribed  to  him  in  Domesday.  To  whom  did  these  manors 
pass?  It  is  incidentally  mentioned  in  the  Gloucester 
charters  ^  that  he  had  a  wife,  Emelina  by  name,  and  that 
she  gave  Norton  to  St.  Peter's.  In  the  absence  of  the 
dates  we  are  left  in  the  dark  as  to  when  she  gave  it ;  but, 
as  the  charter  refers  to  "her  lord,"  it  must  have  been 
before  Ernulfs  departure  and  death.  And  we  have  no 
reason  to  suppose  that  on  his  giving  up  his  estates,  and 
after  his  death  in  the  Holy  Land  on  the  way  to  Jerusalem, 
that  Emelina  had  succeeded  to  his  property.  It  has, 
however,  been  shewn  by  the  late  Mr.  Eyton,  with  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  perspicacity,  considering  the  involved 
nature  of  the  subject,  that  the  lands  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding, 
as  recorded  in  Domesday,  or  the  chief  portion  of  them, 
were  subsequently  held  in  three  parts.  The  family  of 
Cadurcis  or  Chaworth  held  those  in  Gloucestershire,  which 
were  nearly  half  the  whole.  The  Earls  of  Perche  those 
in  Berks  and  Beds.  The  FitzAlans,  Earls  of  Arundel, 
those  in  Oxon  and  Wilts.  These  conclusions,  we  may 
add,  are  borne  out  by  our  own  investigation  of  the  descent 
of  the  various  manors  held  by  Ernulf.  But  whether  they 
were  held  by  them  as  heirs  of  Ernulf,  or  whether  they  were 
simply  a  re-grant  of  the  confiscated  lands  by  King  William 
to  three  other  families,  there  is  nothing  definite  to  shew, 
y  See  ante,  p.  43. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


Ube  2)omes&ai?  Survei?,  H.D.  1086. 

Berkshire  in  the  Domesday  Survey. — Table  of  the  Manors  in  the  Hundred 
of  Thatcham. — Newbury  not  named,  but  Ulvritone  finds  no  modem  re- 
presentative, and  is  in  the  hands  of  Ernulf  OF  HtsDiNG. — The  neigh- 
bouring Manor  of  Spene. — Brief  notes  on  the  ManoV  boundaries. 

BERKSHIRE  is  the  fifth  county  of  the  Domesday  Book, 
immediately  succeeding  Hampshire,  and  preceding 
Wiltshire.  Its  matter  occupies  sixteen  pages,  a  larger  space, 
considering  its  area,  than  its  neighbours,  Hants,  Wilts, 
and  Surrey,  respectively  enjoy ;  and  consequently  -its  en- 
tries are  proportionably  more  numerous  and  satisfactorily 
accounted  for.  At  the  period  of  the  Survey  (about  1086) 
Berkshire  was  divided  into  22  hundreds ;  and  there  are 
about  250  entries  concerning  manors  or  holdings ;  but,  as 
occasionally  several  notices  relate  to  the  same  manor,  the 
manors  did  not  in  reality  exceed  200.  In  these  notices  we 
have  mention  of  3 1  churches  ;  the  mills  within  the  county 
appear  to  have  been  65,  and  the  fisheries  belonging  to  it 
43.  In  the  hundred  of  Thatcham  (in  which  we  have  rea- 
sons to  believe  that  Newbury  was  comprised),  consisting  of 
16  manors,  there  were  only  5  churches,  but  14  mills.  The 
latter  shew  the  nature  of  the  district, — most  of  the  parishes 
lying  either  on  the  Kennet  or  the  Lamborne ;  and  water- 
mills  are  still  to  be  found,  with  one  exception,  in  the  places 
specified  in  the  Domesday  Survey.  These  mills  were 
sources  of  considerable  profit  to  the  landowners,  inasmuch 
as  the  tenants  were  permitted  to  grind  their  corn  only 
at  the  lord's  mill ;  and  in  some  of  the  larger  estates  mills 
seem  to  have  been  used  exclusively  for  the  corn  grown  on 
the  demesne  lands,  that  is,  on  the  portion  of  the  manor 
held  by  the  lord  for  his  own  use.  Frequently  mills  had 
more  than  one  owner,  and  were  sometimes  divided  into 

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The  Domesday  Survey.  5 1 

several  shares.  This  was  the  case  at  Newbury,  as  will  be 
seen  in  a  tabulated  list  of  the  manqrs  in  the  hundred  of 
Thatcham  given  on  the  opposite  page. 

Contrary  to  what  might  have  been  expected,  we  find 
no  allusion  made  to  the  name  of  Newbury  in  the  Domes- 
day Survey  of  Berkshire  :  nor  are  Bernard  of  Neufmarche, 
nor  Geoffrey,  Count  of  Perche,  nor  Robert,  Earl  of  Mellent, 
returned  as  holding  any  of  the  manors  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, although  these  landowners  were  noted  in  documents 
earlier  than  Domesday.  The  absence  of  the  name  of  the 
town  is  no  more  unaccountable  than  the  omission  of  several 
equally  important  places  in  other  parts  of  England,  which 
for  several  reasons  were  doubtlessly  of  sufficient  considera- 
tion to  be  entitled  to  a  separate  and  distinct  notice.  Many 
reasons  have  been  assigned  for  what  may  appear  to  be 
a  discrepancy  in  the  Domesday  Record.  In  some  in- 
stances the  omission  implies  that  it  is  a  subordinate  manor, 
or  member  of  a  manor,  which  is  accounted  for  under 
the  principal  estate  ;  it  is  probably  included  under  some 
generic  appellation,  or  is  simply  described  as  a  manor 
which  had  been  previously  held  by  some  Englishman  in 
the  time  of  the  Confessor.  None  of  these  explanations, 
however,  will  exactly  apply  to  Newbury,  which,  although 
not  specifically  mentioned  in  Domesday,  appears  to  have 
been  represented  by  the  "new  burg"  which  grew  up, 
partly  within  the' manor  of  Speen,  and  partly  within  the 
manor  of  Ulvritone,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Kennet, 
which  is  described  as  being  in  the  hundred  of  Thatcham 
(Taceham) . 

It  will  be  observed  that  out  of  16  manors  at  the -time 
of  Domesday  we  have  only  to  deal  with  13  names;  and 
out  of  these  11  are  satisfactorily  identified,  and  survive 
more  or  less  in  modern  place-names,  making  allowance 
for  the  difficulties  the  surveyors  had  in  their  rendering  of 
the  native  designations.  Singularly  enough,  as  already 
pointed  out,  the  place  of  all  others  in  this  district  which 
has  not  been  clearly  accounted  for  is  that  regarded  as 
corresponding  with  a  portion  of  the  modern  parish  of 
Newbury,  namely  Ulvritone,  the  only  manor  in  the  Berk- 
shire Survey  belonging  to  Ernulf  de  Hesding.     This  is 

K  2 


52  The  Domesday  Survey. 

also  the  only  place  in  the  hundred  of  Thatcham,  besides 
Thatcham  itself,  which,  from  its  character  and  extent, 
would  indicate  the  existence  of  a  considerable  and  settled 
population  at  this  period.  We  have,  indeed,  shewn  in  a 
preceding  chapter  that  Newbury  was  known  by  its  present 
name  a  few  years  before  the  date  of  the  Survey. 
Domesday  Ulvritone  is  thus  described  : — 

"Ernulf  de  Hesding  holds  Ulvritone.  Uluuard  held  it  of 
King  Edward  as  a  free  manor.  It  was  then  assessed  at  ten  hides, 
now  at  two  and  a  half.  There  is  there  land  for  twelve  ploughs 
(carucates).  There  is  one  plough  in  demesne,  and  eleven  villans 
and  four  bordars  have  seven  ploughs.  There  are  two  mills,  pay- 
ing fifty  shillings.  Twenty-seven  acres  of  meadow.  Also  woods 
which  furnish  pannage  for  fifty  hogs;  and  there  are  fifty-one 
houses  (hagse),  of  twenty  shillings  and  seven  pence.  In  the 
time  of  King  Edward  it  was  worth  ^^9,  afterwards  ;£'8,  and  is 
now  worth  ^£24." 

There  are  certain  noticeable  points  in  this  entry  of  the 
Ulvritone  Manor  which  it  is  difficult  to  account  for,  shew- 
ing, as  it  does,  a  considerable  difference  in  the  value  of  the 
property  at  the  time  of  Edward  the  Confessor  and  the 
date  of  the  Norman  Survey. '  For  instance — in  Edward's 
reign  the  land  was  assessed  at  10  hides,  and  at  the  latter 
period  at  the  lower  rate  of  2\.  Again,  there  were  12  caru- 
cates of  arable  land,  T.  R.  W.,  or  sufficient  to  employ 
12  ploughs,  but  only  8  ploughs  were  there.  The  51  hagae, 
too,  only  paid  20J.  7^.  tax,  or  quit-rent,  to  the  lord  of  the 
manor,  while  12  hagae  at  Thatcham  paid  55.y.  It  is  pos- 
sible-, however,  that  the  hagse  were  in  ruins,  or  had  been 
depreciated  from  some  other  cause;  but  the  increasing 
prosperity  of  the  whole  manor  is  shewn  by  the  advance  in 
what  we  should  now  call  its  rateable  value. 

The  difficulty  lies  in  specifying  the  exact  position  of  the 
manor  of  Ulvritone,  which  is  hypothetically  assumed  to 
include  the  site  of  the  present  town  of  Newbury.  But 
before  we  proceed  further  it  will  be  well  to  give  the  entries 
in  the  Domesday  Survey  relating  to  the  adjoining  parish 
of  Speen,  and  the  neighbouring  manors,  which  have  been 
referred  to  in  a  previous  chapter. 


The  Domesday  Survey.  S  3 

"  Taceham  Hundred. 

"  Humfrey  Vis-de-Lew  holds  of  the  King  Spone.  Carlo  held 
it  of  King  Edward  as  a  free  manor  (in  alodio).  It  was  then 
assessed  at  ten  hides,  now  at  five  hides.  There  is  there  land  for 
nine  ploughs.  In  the  demesne  are  three  ploughs,  and  nine  vil- 
lans,  and  ten  bordars  have  six  ploughs.  There  is  a  Church,  and 
seven  serfs,  a  mill  paying  twenty-two  shillings,  and  sixty  acres 
of  meadow,  and  Wood  for  three  hogs.  It  was  worth  ^^8 ;  it  is 
now  worth  £,\o.  To  the  Church  pertains  half  a  hide  of  this 
land. 

"  Taceham  Hundred. 

"  Humfrid  Camerarius  holds  of  the  King  Bagenor,  Ulueva  held 
it  of  King  Edward  as  a  free  manor  (in  alodio).  It  was  then 
assessed  at  three  hides,  now  at  one  hide.  There  is  there  land 
for  three  ploughs.  In  the  demesne  there  is  one  plough,  and 
three  villans,  and  three  bordars  have  two  ploughs.  There  is 
one  serf,  a  mill  paying  twenty  shillings,  and  twenty-two  acres 
of  meadow,  and  Wood  for  four  hogs.     It  was,  and  is,  worth  ^^4. 

"  Cheneteberie  Hundred. 

"  Humfrey  Vis-de-Lew  holds  of  the  King  Benham.  Three 
Thanes  held  it  as  a  free  manor  (in  alodio).  It  was  then  as- 
sessed at  five  hides,  now  at  four  hides.  There  is  there  land  for 
three  ploughs.  In  the  demesne  there  is  one  plough,  and  six 
villans,  and  eight  bordars  have  five  ploughs.  There  are  two 
serfs,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  meadow. 

"  Of  this  manor  Anschitil  holds  two  hides,  and  William  two 
hides,  and  there  is  there  land  for  two  ploughs.  The  whole  was 
worth  in  the  time  of  King  Edward,  afterwards,  and  is  now, 
worth  j£6. 

"  Cheneteberie  Hundred. 

"The  King's  Thane  Wigar  holds  of  the  King  two  hides  in 
Benham.  Ormar  held  it  as  a  free  manor  (in  alodio).  It  was 
then  assessed  at  two  hides,  now  at  half-a-hide.  There  is  there 
land  for  one  plough,  and  in  the  demesne  there  is  also  one  plough, 
with  two  bordars,  and  sixty  acres  of  meadow.  It  was  worth, 
and  it  is  now  worth,  4oj-." 

According  to  the  existing  boundaries  of  the  parishes  of 
Speen  and  Greenham,  each  of  them  partly  includes  an  area 
comprised  within  which  the  modern  municipal  borough  of 
Newbury  stands,  and  there  is  good  reason  to  assume  that 
the  position  of  the  manor  of  Ulvritone,  which  had  been  be- 


54  The  Domesday  Survey. 

stowed  on  Ernulf  de  Hesding,  was  enclosed  within  the  limits 
indicated  on  the  accompanying  map.  The  mention  of  two 
mills  b  in  the  Domesday  Record  as  existing  in  the  manor 
of  Ulvritone  is  almost  of  itself  sufficient  evidence  that  the 
portion  of  the  present  parish  of  Newbury  in  which  the 
Town  Mills  and  West  Mills  stand  (the  only  mills  in  the 
town),  and  the  church,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Kennet, 
must  be  considered  as  constituting  the  early  germ  from 
which  the  modern  town  has  been  developed. 

There  is  also  collateral  evidence  of  the  relationship  be- 
tween Ulvritone  and  Newbury  in  the  circumstance  (already 
alluded  to)  that  the  Domesday  owner  of  Ulvritone,  Ernulf 
de  Hesding,  gave  to  the  abbey  of  St.  Peter  of  Preaux 
"  the  Church  of  Newbury,  and  the  tithe  of  the  whole  rent 
or  issue  of  the  vill,  that  is  of  the  mills,  of  toll,  and  more- 
over of  everything  from  which  a  tithe  can  be  made.  He 
appointed  also  one  hide  of  land,  and  a  priest's  house  free 
from  any  toll,  or  custom,  or  service."  This  gift  was  made 
previous  to  the  date  of  the  completion  of  the  Domesday 
Survey  (1086),  as  we  have  already  stated  in  a  previous 
chapter,  and  may  be  ascribed  to  about  the  year  1085. 

We  have  frequent  examples  shewing  how  the  smaller 
holdings  at  the  time  of  Domesday,  have  in  the  course  of 
centuries^ become  absorbed  into  the  larger  estates ;  and  on 
the  othe'r  hand  we  see  how  manors  were  sometimes  di- 
minished in  area,  as  in  the  case  of  Sandleford,  assumed  to 
have  been  originally  within  that  of  Ulvritone.  For  Sandle- 
ford, where  Geoffrey,  the  fourth  Count  of  Perche,  founded 
his  Priory,  was  taken  from  the  manor  of  Ulvritone,  if  we  may 
assume  that  to  be  co-extensive  with  the  south  part  of  the 
parish  of  Newbury,  and  became  a  separate  ecclesiastical  dis- 
trict, receiving  from  Newbury  a  part  of  the  dues  of  the  town, 
and  a  certain  revenue  from  its  mills,  which  were  given  by  the 
Earl  of  Perche  on  establishing  that  religious  institution. 

In  the  absence  of  material  for  the  exact  definition  of 
the  precise  area  of  the  manor  of  Ulvritone,  it  is  probable, 
as  we  have  already  pointed  out,  that  the  portion  lying  be- 
tween Enborne  and  Greenham,  and  occupying  part  of  the 

''  The  borough  boundaries  now  include  a  third  Mill,  namely,  the  Greenham 
Mill  of  Domesday. 


To  face  p.  54- 


A    PLAN    TO    ILLUSTRATE 
THE  POSITION   OF 

THE   DOMESDAY  MANOR 


ULVRITONE,    Etc. 


Reference. 

ULVRITOME     W///yi./////A 
Boundary.  ) 

NEWBUaY         \ 


SANDLEFORDi 

Boundary  -,j 


«SlTE  OF  THEn  Do^Crj 

NEW  BOURq  J  °Q^  ^ 


PARKER  &  CO.,  UTHC-.  OxFOSI 


The  Domesday  Survey.  5  5 

present  parish  of  Newbury  (so  far  as  it  lies  on  the  southern 
bank  of  the  Kennet),  was  the  Ulvritone  which  Ernulf  de 
Hesding  possessed  some  time  after  the  Conquest ;  and  that 
the  parish  of  Newbury,  as  it  now  stands,  is  half  in  the  old 
Ulvritone  manor,  and  half  in  that  of  Speen.  Of  that  part 
.  of  Newbury  lying,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Kennet,  the 
tithes  were  appropriated  by  the  lord  of  Speen ;  and  that 
is  why  Bernard  de  Neufmarche,  or  his  successor,  Vis-de- 
Lew  (the  Domesday  owner),  could  give  them  to  the  mo- 
nastery of  Aufay,  or  to  any  other  place  or  person,  without 
asking  the  consent  of  any  of  the  then  existing  authorities, 
not  even  that  of  the  priest  of  the  church  of  Newbury,  nor 
that  of  the  lord  of  the  manor  in  which  the  other  half  of 
Newbury  was  situated.  The  20  shillings  from  the  reve- 
nues of  Newbury,  previously  mentioned  as  being  paid  to 
the  Speen  lord,  doubtless  was  in  proportion  to  what  the 
south  part  of  Newbury  paid  to  the  Hesding  lord. 

Certain  it  is  that  Ulvritone  was  a  manor  with  a  consider- 
able population  when  the  Domesday  Record  was  compiled, 
and  by  way  of  comparison  it  may  be  stated  that  referring 
to  other  towns  in  Berkshire,  Domesday  assigns  to  Windsor 
(which  must  have  been  the  town  of  Old  Windsor)  100  hagse 
or  dwellings,  and  to  the  town  of  Reading  not  more  than  28, 
while  in  Ulvritone  there  were  51.  Probably,  however,  the 
small  number  of  hagse  in  Reading  is  to  be  accounted  for 
by  the  town  having  been  attacked  by  the  Danes  in  1006, 
on  the  invasion  of  Sweyn,  King  of  Denmark,  when  the 
place  was  almost  entirely  destroyed.  At  all  events,  at  the 
period  of  Domesday,  Ulvritone  appears  to  have  been  a  more 
important  place  as  regards  population  than  its  neighbour 
Reading.  On  the  other  hand,  although  it  had  decreased, 
so  far  as  the  extent  of  its  rateable  basis  was  concerned, 
it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  rating  of  the  hide 
was  an  assessment  dependent  on  the  quality  rather  than 
the  quantity  of  the  land.  And  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
value  of  the  land  paying  geld  had  actually  increased  ; 
for,  whereas  the  10  hides  in  the  time  of  King  Edward  was 
worth  £g,  and  afterwards  £Z,  we  find  at  the  period  of 
Domesday  2\  hides,  or  one  fourth  part  only,  valued  at 
;^24 !     This  difference  is  only  intelligible  if  we  assume  the 


56  The  Domesday  Survey. 

quality  of  the  property,  and  not  space,  to  have  been  the 
basis  of  calculation.  We  can,  therefore,  hardly  doubt  that 
the  improved  value  was  created  by  the  erection  of  hagae 
or  dwellings  on  the  manor,  which  constituted  the  nucleus 
if  not  the  actual  town  of  Newbury,  thereby  making  these 
2\  hides  nearly  three  times  as  valuable  as  the  whole  ten 
were  in  the  days  of  the  Confessor,  and  precisely  three 
times  the  value  that  the  same  acreage  represented  in  the 
reign  of  King  Harold. 

Taking  all  these  matters  into  consideration,  there  is  good 
evidence  hnking  the  manor  of  Ulvritone  with  the  southern 
portion  of  the  parish  of  Newbury.  That  there  was  a  con- 
siderable community  here  is  evidently  implied,  and  there 
are  topographical  reasons  for  assuming  that  the  manor 
included  the  present  site  of  that  town. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  original  source  of  the 
derivation  of  the  name  of  Ulvritone,  there  is  reason  to  sup- 
pose that  the  Saxon  Thane  who  owned  the  manor  in  the 
days  of  Edward  the  Confessor  was  called  Ulward ;  and  we 
obtain  further  examples  of  Ulward's  name  occurring  in  con- 
nection with  that  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding  from  the  Domesday 
Survey  of  Middlesex.  It  appears  by  this  record  that  Albold 
held  a  manor  in  Chingesberie  (Kingsbury)  of  Ernulf  de 
Hesding,  which  in  the  time  of  King  Edward  the  Confessor 
was  the  property  of  Ulward  the  King's  Thane.  Ernulf  also 
held  the  manor  of  Ruislip,  which  is  described  in  Domesday 
as  having  been  the  property  of  Ulward  Wit,  the  King's 
Thane,  who  might  dispose  of  it  to  whom  he  pleased. 

Again,  as  somewhat  corroborative  of  the  probability 
that  this  Saxon  Thane,  Ulward,  was  the  possessor  of 
Domesday  manors  afterwards  belonging  to  Ernulf  de 
Hesding,  we  find  that  one  Alward  held  three  hides  at 
Potterne,  in  Wiltshire,  which  in  the  time  of  the  Confessor 
belonged  to  Uhvard,  he  having  purchased  a  life-interest 
in  the  same  from  Bishop  Herman.  Over  the  name  Ulward 
in  the  original  record  is  written,  in  very  small  letters, 
"  albus  "  (=  White)  ;  in  fact  his  English  name  was  Ulward 
White,  a  very  interesting  instance  of  a  surname,  in  those 
days  very  uncommon  ;  though  wherever  there  were  two 
persons  of  the  same  name  in  one  place,  there  was  neces- 


The  Domesday  Survey.  57 

sarily  some  sobriquet  or  designation  given  to  each,  in 
order  to  distinguish  them.  Surnames  in  this  sense  were 
far  more  common  than  is  generally  supposed. 

The  name  of  Ulward  Wit,  besides  being  found  in  the 
Domesday  for  Middlesex,  is  found  also  in  Dorset. 

From  the  fact  that  several  of  the  manors  which  were 
held  by  Ernulf  de  Hesding  were  possessed  by  Ulward 
in  the  time  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  it  is  probable  that 
the  estates  held  by  the  Saxon  Thane  had  been  forfeited, 
and  bestowed  on  Ernulf  by  the  Conqueror  in  acknowledg- 
ment of  services  evidently  held  in  considerable  estimation. 

At  the  some  time,  although  the  name  seems  tq  be  iden- 
tified with  Ulward,  the  form  Ulvritone  points  more  directly 
to  the  name  of  Ulric.  The  natural  contraction  of  Ulward's- 
town  would  be  Wolverton,  and  it  may  be  noted  that  a 
place  of  this  name  occurs  a  few  miles  from  Newbury,  on 
the  other  side  of  the  county  border.  The  name  of  Ulric  or 
Wulfric  is  not  uncommon,  and  by  charters  in  the  Abing- 
don Chronicle  we  learn  that  in  the  tenth  century  a  Thane 
of  considerable  importance  held  property  in  these  parts,  of 
the  name  of  Wulfric.  It  appears  that  he  had  a  grant  of 
land  at  Stanmore  in  A.D.  948 ;  at  Welford,  A.D.  949 ;  at 
Chieveley,  A.D.  95 1 ;  at  Boxford,  A.D.  958  ;  and  in  A.D.  960 
we  find  a  charter  of  King  Edgar  restoring  to  Wulfric  cer- 
tain lands  which  had  been  forfeited  by  him  in  consequence 
of  misconduct,  and  among  the  places  specified  are  Chieve- 
ley, Boxford,  Chaddleworth,  and  Benham,  all  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  Newbury  =. 

It  is  not,  therefore,  improbable  that  this  Thane  gave  his 
name  to  the  tun  which  we  find  in  the  Domesday  Survey. 
By  a  singular  coincidence  it  will  be  observed  from  the 
Preaux  Charter  *  that  about  a  century  later  land  belonging 
to  a  certain  Wluric,  of  Watintona,  was  conferred  at  the 
same  time  as  the  gift  of  the  Church  of  Newbury.  But 
whatever  be  the  derivation,  the  name  Ulvritone  seems  not 
to  have  survived,  and  indeed  no  trace  of  it  is  found  after 
the  time  of  Domesday. 

'  Chron.  Mon.  Ab.,  Rolls  Series,  vol.  i.  pp.  131,  145,  151,  I59y  289. 
'  See  ante,  p.  30. 


CHAPTER    V. 


tlbe  6ift  of  mils  at  IRewbury  to  SanMeforb 
prfors,  c.  1200. 

Sandleford,  adjoining  Newbury,  founded  by  Geoffrey,  the  fourth  Count  of 
Perche,  and  the  Countess  Matilda.— The  Charter  of  Confirmation.— 
Pedigree  of  the  family.— The  boundaries  of  the  land  of  Sandleford. — The 
Mills  at  Newbury  from  which  the  grant  was  made.— Various  circum- 
stances connected  with  the  history  of  the  Priory.— Present  condition  of 
the  remains  of  the  Priory. — The  evidence  dei-ived  from  above  as  to  the 
extent  and  status  of  the  borough  of  Newbury  at  this  time. 

SOME  time  between  the  years  1193  and  1202,  but  the 
material  is  not  sufficient  to  fix  the  exact  date,  Geofifrey, 
the  fourth  Count  of  Perche,  and  Matilda  of  Saxony,  his 
wife,  founded,  on  some  land  about  a  mile  south  of  the 
Kennet,  and  between  that  and  the  Enborne,  a  Priory  at 
a  place  already  called  Sandleford.  We  know  but  little 
of  the  early  history  of  the  monastery,  except  that  it  was 
dedicated  to  SS.  Mary  and  John  Baptist,  and  put  in 
charge  of  Austin  Canons  *. 

In  a  previous  chapter  it  has  been  shewn  how  the  Nor- 
man owner  of  Speen  church  (and  by  implication  of  Speen 
manor)  had  assisted  in  the  endowment  of  the  church  of 
Aufay  with  part  of  the  revenue  of  the  town  of  Newbury. 
Similarly  in  this  case  we  find  Geoff"rey  of  Perche  grant- 
ing certain  revenues  from  the  mills  in  Newbury  to  his 
newly-founded  church  of  Sandleford.  The  two  circum- 
stances thus  connected  with  Newbury  allow  us  to  surmise 
that  the  part  of  the  "  vill "  on  the  north  bank  or  Speen 
side  of  the  Kennet  belonged  to  the  then  lord  of  the  manor 
of  Speen,  that  is  to  Bernard  of  Neufmarch^  ;  while  that 

"  It  is  possible  that  prior  to  the  foundation  of  Sandleford  by  Geoffrey  of 
Perche  and  Matilda  his  wife,  for  Monks  or  Regular  Canons  of  the  Order  of 
St.  Augustin,  a  small  community  of  Secular  Canons,  or  Recluses,  dwelt 
here,  as  the  "Recluses  of  Sandleford"  are  referred  to  in  the  Pipe  Roll, 
26  Henry  II.,  1180. 


The  Gift  of  Mills  at  Newbury.  59 

on  the  south  bank  ox  Greenham  side  was  the  property  of 
Geoffrey,  Count  of  Perche. 

The  chief  document  bearing  on  the  question  is  Dug- 
dale's  copy  of  a  charter  of  confirmation  by  Stephen,  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury,  which  seems  to  have  been  in  the 
Cottonian  collection  of  MSS.  in  1644,  but  cannot  now 
be  found,  and  possibly  perished  in  the  fire  of  1731  *.  We 
obtain  from  it  some  details  as  to  the  foundation,  which, 
as  will  be  seen  hereafter,  are  corroborated  from  other 
sources. 

The  document  referred  to  is  the  charter  of  Stephen 
Langton,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  reciting  or  confirming 
the  charter  of  foundation  by  Geoffrey,  Count  of  Perche, 
and  Matilda  his  wife,  and  runs  as  follows  : — 

"  Stephen,  by  the  grace  of  God,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 
[1207 — 1 2 19],  Primate  of  all  England,  and  Cardinal  of  the 
Holy  Roman  Church,  to  all  to  whom  this  present  writing  shall 
come,  greeting  in  the  Lord. 

"  We  will  that  all  of  you  should  know  that  we  have  inspected 
the  authoritative  documents  of  our  predecessor  of  pious  memory, 
which  were  in  these  words  : — 

"  H[ubert],  by  the  Grace  of  God  Archbishop  of  Canterbury 

[1193 — 1207],  Primate  of  all  England,  to  all  faithful  Christians 

to  whom  this  present  writing  shall  come  greeting  in  the  Lord. 

"  Let  all  of  you  know  that  we  haye  inspected  the  charter  of 

Geoffrey,   the   noble   Count    of  Perche,   and   of  the   Countess 

Matilda,  which  is  in  these  words  : — 

"  To  all  .sons  of  Holy  Mother  Church,  Geoffrey,  Count  of 
Perche,  and  Matilda  the  Countess  greeting  in  the  Lord. 

"  We  make  known  to  all  of  you  that  for  the  love  of  God 
and  for  our  own  salvation  and  for  that  of  the  souls  of  our  an- 
cestors and  successors,  that  we  have  given  and  granted  in 
pure  and  perpetual  alms  to  God  and  S.  John  the  Baptist  the 
House  of  Sandelford,  and  to  the  Canons  serving  God  there, 
the  Church  and  all  the  lands  of  Sandelford,  as  it  is  bounded 
by  hedges  and  by  ditches,  with  all  its  appurtenances. 
"  And  the  whole  of  the  wood  which  is  called  Bradmore. 
''  And  the  whole  of  the  land  on  each  side  of  the  wood,  as 

'■  In  this  fire  the  original  number  of  958  volumes  was  reduced  to  851,  and 
over  100  parcels  much  damaged. 


6o  '         The  Gift  of  Mills  at  Newbury 

it  is  bounded  on  one  side  by  the  water  which  is  called  the 
Aleburne  from  the  Bridge  of  Sandelford  up  to  the  Ale- 
bume-gate,  and  on  the  other  side  as  far  as  it  is  bounded  by 
the  road  which  reaches  from  Aleburne-gate  towards  New- 
bury as  far  as  the  croft  of  William  the  Hunter,  and  on  the 
third  side  so  far  as  the  road  is  carried,  thence  to  the  croft 
of  Robert  the  son  of  Renbald, — that  is  the  road  which  leads 
to  Newbury,  and  on  the  fourth  side  as  it  is  bounded  by  the 
same  road  as  far  as  the  bridge  of  Sandelford. 

"  We  have  also  granted  to  the  aforesaid  Canons  that  on 
this  aforesaid  land  upon  the  aforesaid  water,  where  they  shall 
select  an  open  place  they  may  construct  a  mill  and  peace- 
ably possess  it  without  molestation  or  interference. 

"Besides  this  we  have  given  and  granted  to  the  said 
monks  13  marks  sterling,  annually  to  be  taken  from  the 
Mills  of  Newbury,  so  that  the  aforesaid  Canons  every  four 
weeks  shall  receive  from  our  Bailiffs  this  revenue  from  the 
Mills. 

"  We  have  also  granted  to  the  Canons  here  all  the  above 
things  free  and  quit  of  all  secular  service  and  demand,  to  be 
had  and  held  for  ever  from  us  and  from  our  heirs  in  free, 
pure  and  perpetual  alms. 

"  We  also  will  and  grant  that  when  the  Prior  shall  have 
departed  one  of  the  remaining  Canons  shall  be  chosen  Prior. 

"  But  that  this  our  gift  may  remain  secure  we  confirm  it 
by  the  present  charter  signed  with  our  seals. 

"  These  being  witnesses. 

"Hubert,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  [1193 — 1207]. 
"  Hubert,  Bishop  of  Sarum  [1194 — 1215]. 
"Stephen  of  Perche  [ob.  1205],  who  has  placed  his 

seal  to  the  present  charter  for  testimony. 
"William  of  Perche  [ob.  1226]. 
"  Hugo  de  Tabaria. 
"  Odo  of  Normandy. 
"  Griffio  of  Vere-neuil. 
"  Gervase  de  Tabaria,  and  many  others. 

"  Therefore  in  order  that  the  pious  donation  and  gift  of 
the  aforesaid  Count  and  Countess  shall  obtain  lasting  security, 
we  have  thought  well  to  strengthen  and  confirm  these  as 
reasonably  as  they  can  by  the  apposition  of  our  seal. 


to  Sandlef or d  Priory.  6i 

"  These  being  witnesses. 

"  Master  Simon  of  Sewell,  Treasurer  of  Lichfield. 

"  Master  John  of  Tjmemouth. 

"  Master  William  of  Savenoaks. 

"  Roger  of  Basingham. 

"  Master  Edward  of  Hampton. 

"  Robert  of  Bristol. 

"  William  de  Bosco. 

"  John  of  Kent. 

"  David  of  Reading. 

"  Adam  of  Kent,  and  many  others. 

"  Willing  therefore  that  when  to  these  things  which  have 
been  piously  and  reasonably  done  we  should  add  the  strength 
of  our  authority,  we  adjoin  our  confirmation  and  testifying 
to  the  present  writing  by  the  affixing  of  our  seal. 

"  These  being  witnesses. 

"  Master  Simon  of  Langton  our  Brother. 

"  Master  William  of  Bardney. 

"  Master  Thomas  of  Tresham. 

"  Master  Robert  of  Bristol. 

"  Master  Walter  of  Evesham. 

"  Master  John  of  Waltham,  and  others. 

It  will  be  observed  that  we  have  here  an  "  inspeximus  " 
of  an  "inspeximus,"  i.e.  Archbishop  Langton  simply  gives 
his  approval  to  the  charter  of  Archbishop  Hubert.  But 
it  is  Archbishop  Hubert  who  is  supposed  to  have  "in- 
spected" and  vouched  for  the  accuracy  of  the  Charters 
of  Count  Geoffrey  and  the  Countess  Matilda,  the  founders 
of  the  Priory  at  Sandleford,  and  the  donors  to  it  of  the 
revenue  from  the  mills  of  Newbury. 

Before,  however,  we  proceed  further  it  will  be  desirable, 
in  illustration  of  the  subject,  to  give  the  genealogy  of  the 
Counts  of  Perche  so  far  as  it  applies  to  our  investigations, 
and  the  following  table  will  shew  the  position  of  those 
connections  with  which  we  have  to  deal: 


62 


The  Gift  of  Mills  at  Newbury 


Rotrou  II.,  Count  of  Perche  and  Mortagne,  =  . 
d.  1079.  I 


Geoffrey  III.,   Count   of  =  Beatrix,    dau. 


Perche  and  Mortagne, 
accompanied  William 
the  Conqueror  to  Eng- 
land, d.  1 100. 


of    Hilduin, 
Count    de 
Roucy. 


.1  I  II 

Hugh,  ances-     Rotrou,      Fulk.     Hel- 
tor     of    the    Count  vise. 

Seigneurs  de    ofMont- 
Chateaudun.     fort  Le 
Maine. 


Juliana,  ux. 
Gilbert  de 
Acquila,  or 
L'Aigle. 


Margaret,  ux. 
Henry        de 
Beaumont, 
Earl  of  War- 
wick. 


Hawise,daU.  ■ 
of  Walter, 
Earl  of  Sa- 
lisbury. 


•  Rotrou 
Count    of 
Perche,    slain 
at    siege     of 
Rouen,  1143. 


III. ,  =  Matilda,  natural  dau. 
ofHenryI.,Kingof 
England.  Perished 
in  the  shipwreck  of 
the  Blanche  Nef., 
H19. 


RotrouIV.,= 
Count   of 
Perche, 
slain    at 
siege    of 
Acrejiigi. 


Matilda,      dau.      of 
Theobald   'IV., 
Count    Palatin    de 
Brie,     Champagne, 
Chartres,    &c.    d. 
U84. 


I  I 

Stephen,  Philippa,    wife   of  Elias 

Archbishop  d'Anjou,     brother     of 

of  Paleimo.  Geoffrey  Plantagenet. 


Henry,  Geoffrey 
d.       IV.  Count 

young,    of  Perche 
and    Mor- 
tagne,    at 
siege    of 
Acre  with 
his  father, 
d.  1202,  in 
France- 
Founder  of 
Sandleford 
Priory. 


Matilda 
of  Sax- 
ony,   the 
grand- 
daughter 
of  K. 
Henry 
II.,  and 
niece  of 
K.  Rich- 
ard Land 
K.  John. 


Rotrou, 

Bishop 

of  Cha- 

lons- 

sur- 

Mame, 

1 1 90. 


Stephen, 
slain  at 
the  siege 
of  Adri- 
anople, 
April, 
1205. 


William,  also 
Bishop    of 
Chalons-sur- 
Marne,    suc- 
ceeded  his 
nephew, 
Thomas,   in 
the  Countship 
of  Perche   in 
1217.     d.    in 
1226,    when 
this  line  of  the 
Counts   of 
Perche  be- 
came extinct. 


I 
Bea-  =  Renault 
trix.      HI., 
Seig- 
neur de 
Chateau 
Gon- 
tier. 


Thomas,  Count  of  Perche, 
slain  at  the  battle  of  Lin- 
coln, 1217. 

Geoffrey  IV.,  the  founder  (with  Matilda  his  wife)  of 
Sandleford  Priory,  was  engaged  in  the  Crusades  against 
the  Saracens  in  the  Holy  Land,  and  on  the  death  of  his 
father,  Rotrou  IV.,  he  returned  to  France  with  the  inten- 
tion of  raising  the  necessary  means  to  carry  on  the  military 
service  in  which  he  and  his  relatives  had  borne  so  con- 
siderable a  part.  Calling  to  mind  the  great  gifts  his 
family  had  from  time  to  time  made  to  the  monastery 
of  St.  Denis  at  Nogent,  the  Count  besought  the  aid  of 


to  Sandleford  Priory.  63 

the  Prior  of  the  House,  Hubert,  who  made  known  to 
his  brethren  how  Geoffrey's  cause  was  delayed  from  want 
of  the  necessary  funds  to  equip  his  expedition.  Hubert, 
with  the  approval  of  his  brethren,  bestowed  upon  Geoffrey 
two  hundred  pounds — a  considerable  sum  for  the  time — as 
an  earnest  of  their  good  intentions.  Geoffrey,  "  whose 
soul,"  says  the  chronicler,  "  was  naturally  grand  and  mag- 
nanimous," would  not  accept  this  gift  without  some  return, 
and  therefore  gave  the  monastery  of  St.  Denis  at  Nogent 
a  charter  exonerating  them  from  all  feudal  dues  and 
charges,  excepting  jurisdiction  in  all  criminal  matters. 
In  1 194  Geoffrey  caused  the  Chapel  of  St.  John  Baptist 
in  the  Castle  of  Nogent  to  be  rebuilt.  He  confirmed  to 
the  Hospital,  or  Hotel  Dieu,  for  Lepers  at  Carthage  in 
Mortagne,  founded  in  1090  by  his  ancestor,  Geoffrey  IH., 
Counte  of  Perche,  and  Beatrix,  his  wife,  all  the  privileges 
granted  by  his  predecessors.  In  119S,  Geoffrey,  "  whose 
sole  happiness  was  to  consecrate  his  fortune  in  fostering 
religion  and  relieving  suffering  humanity,''  in  conjunction 
with  "his  noble  and  pious  wife  Matilda,"  rebuilt  the 
hospital  which  had  been  burnt  during  the  civil  war  be- 
tween Robert  de  Belesme  and  Rotrou  III.,  Count  of 
Perche.  The  chapel  in  this  hospital,  dedicated  to  St, 
Nicholas,  was  also  rebuilt  by  Geoffrey,  who  instituted 
"  the  Confraternity  des  Cordonniers  de  Mortagne,"  en- 
gaged to  succour  any  of  the  infirm  or  destitute  presenting 
themselves  in  this  chapel  on  St.  Nicholas'  Day.  He  also 
gave  the  poor  the  privilege  of  collecting  fire-wood  in  the 
forest  of  Belesme.  This  pious  Count  also  founded  the 
Priory  of  St.  Laurent-de-Moulins-Ia-Marche,  to  which  he 
acciorded  considerable  revenues.  He  gave  this  Priory, 
which  was  commenced  in  1194  and  completed  in  1198, 
to  the  monks  of  St.  Evroult-en-Ouche.  The  Count  had 
also  planned  the  foundation  of  the  Cistercian  Abbey  of 
Clairets  near  Nogent,  which  he  enjoined  his  wife  and  son 
to  complete,  an  injunction  which  was  strictly  obeyed.  He 
was  also  a  benefactor  to  the  Monastery  of  Notre-Dame- 
de-Chene-Gallon,  and  other  religious  houses.  Geoffrey, 
who  had  acquired  great  honour  in  Palestine,  was  in  chief 


64  The  Gift  of  Mills  at  Newbury 

command  of  the  army  of  Philip,  King  of  France,  engaged 
against  the  English  forces  at  the  seige  of  Rouen  ;  and 
shortly  before  his  death  he  had  undertaken  to  lead  another 
Crusade,  but  he  was  seized  with  illness,  and  dying  at  the 
Chateau  of  Nogent  at  the  beginning  of  the  season  of  Lent 
in  1 202,  he  was  buried  at  St.  Denis  at  Nogent  with  his 
father  Rotrou. 

Geoffrey  married,  in  1189,  Matilda,  natural  daughter  of 
Henry,  Duke  of  Saxony,  whose  wife  Matilda,  daughter  of 
Henry  II.,  by  Eleanor  of  Guienne,  was  therefore  sister  to 
Richard  Coeur  de  Leon,  King  of  England. 

It  is  noticeable  that  the  land  is  carefully  indicated  in 
the  charters  by  exact  boundaries.  But  the  question  arises, 
are  these  the  original  boundaries  allotted  to  the  original 
charter  of  Geoffrey  IV.,  or  are  they  boundaries  added  to 
some  later  charter }  There  is  nothing  to  determine  the 
truth  one  way  or  the  other.  The  stream  was  called  the 
Aleburne  in  'boundaries  mentioned  in  charters  as  early 
as  the  tenth  century,  so  that  the  name  itself  is  of  no  actual 
value.  But  whether  eleventh  or  twelfth-century  landmarks 
they  can  be  traced  now  pretty  accurately,  as  the  two  roads 
to  Newbury  at  that  time  no  doubt  occupied  much  the 
same  position  as  do  the  two  present  roads,  and  the'  river 
Enborne  (frequently  written  "Auburne"  in  old  maps)  is  of 
course  the  same  as  the  river  "  Aleburn  "  of  the  charter, 
which  forms  for  many  miles  the  boundary  between  the 
counties  of  Berkshire  and  Hampshire.  There  is  also  every 
reason  to  believe  that  the  bridge  at  Sandleford  was  in  the 
same  position  when  the  boundaries  were  taken  as  at  the 
present  time.  The  river  is  forded  at  this  spot ;  the  bridge 
being  used  only  for  foot-passengers,  but  in  times  of  flood 
it  can  be  made  available  for  the  passage  of  vehicles.  The 
"  Aleburn-gate "  of  the  charter  corresponds  with  what 
is  now  called  "  Aldern-bridge,"  evidently  a  corruption  of 
Aleburn-bridge.  The  term  "  gate  "  in  this  case  was  prob- 
ably the  north-country  word  '"gait,"  from  the  Danish 
"gata,"  a  road,  or  path,  or  way,  hence  "Aleburn-gate" 
would  be  the  road  leading  to  or  from  the  ford  of  the 
Aleburn  river. 


to  Sandleford  Priory.  65 

There  is  some  evidence  to  shew  that  the  monks  of 
Sandleford  took  advantage  of  the  concession  permitting 
them  to  build  a  mill  on  the  Aleburn  or  Enborne  stream  ; 
as  in  a  map  of  the  Sandleford  estate,  the  particulars  of  which 
were  taken  by  Mr.  James  Hore,  Surveyor,  of  Newbury,  in 
the  year  171 7,  a  mill  is  marked  on  or  near  the  site  of 
"  Sandleford  Lodge,"  and  the  adjoining  enclosures  are  re- 
spectively denoted  on  the  map  as  "  Mill  Mead,"  "  Upper 
Mill  Mead,"  and  "  Lower  Mill  Mead.'  That  a  mill  once 
stood  on  this  spot  is  also  indicated  by  the  fact  that  a 
"cut"  or  channel  made  from  the  river  near  the  house  was 
apparently  intended  to  carry  off  the  tail-water,  which  re- 
enters the  river  near  the  bridge ;  and  it  is  not  im- 
probable that  the  existing  weir  may  be  the  survival  of 
the  dam  to  provide  a  sufficient  head  to  drive  the  mill- 
wheel. 

The  wood  referred  to  as  Bradmore  in  the  charter  of 
confirmation  is  still  known  as  "  Broadmore,"  and  is  so 
named  in  the  map  of  the  estate  above  referred  to. 

We  now  come  to  the  "  Mills  of  Newbury,"  from  which 
13  marks,  or  .^8  13J.  4^.,  annually  was  granted  to  the 
monastery  of  Preaux,  and  we  find  corroboration  of  this 
gift  amongst  the  records  of  the  Court  of  Chancery,  on  a 
Roll  entitled  "  A  Roll  of  the  value  of  the  Lands  of  the 
Normans  begun  in  the  6th  year  of  the  reign  of  King 
John'=,"  i.e.  1205,  ^"d  so  only  a  few  years  after  the  pre- 
vious grant  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding  to  Preaux,  which  was 
confirmed  by  charter  of  William  I. 

In  the  particulars  of  the  manor  of  Newbury ,»which  are 
given  in  full  on  the  next  page,  it  will  be  observed  that 
the  sum  of  £Z  13J.  \d.  appears  as  due  to  the  Priory  of 
Sandleford,  in  addition  to  the  5^  marks,  or  £■^,  \os., 
due  to  Preaux  as  tithe  on  the  profits  and  advantages 
arising  from  the  manor  which  had  been  granted  to  that 
religious  foundation  by  Geoffrey,  the  fourth  Count  of 
Perche,  and  the  Countess  Matilda. 

=  Rotuli  Normannise,  No.  35. 
F 


66 


The  Gift  of  Mills  at  Newbury 


NUBIRY. 

David  the  Reeve. 
Osebert  the  Forester. 
Richeman. 
WilHam  de  Plebiri. 
Nigell  Gandi. 
WilHam  the  Huntsman. 
Roger  the  Welchman. 
Ralf  fitz  Peter  AseHne. 
Richard  Curneis. 
Richard  Cake. 
Ralf  fitz  Gowin. 


'  NuBiRY.  The  land  there 
is  worth  from  Rents 
of  Assize  and  Burgage 
Tenure 

From  the  Rents  in  the 
Fields 

From  a  Fulling  Mill"'      . 

From  those  serving  for 
the  Bailiffs  in  their 
hundreds    . 

From  another  MilP  which 
is  reckoned  at  £,\i>    . 

From  the  market  of  the 
Town  which  is  reck- 
oned at  ^8 


£ 
20 

5 
I 


s. 
o 

S 
6 


d. 
6^ 


16 


Sum  total     ;£S2     2 

Payments. 
Out  of  these  [is  paid]  in 
alms,  viz. 
To  the  Abbot  of  Preaux  3     o 
To  the  Priory  of  San- 
delford     . 


8A 


Endorsed. 


13     4 


Answered  by  the  hands  of  the  Farm- 
ers and  not  at  the  Exchequer. 

Besides  this  the  Town  is  at  farm  for 
^60,  with  all  issues  and  profits. 

Neubiry.  The  land  of  the  Earl  of  Perche 
is  delivered  to  Simon  de  Pateshill  by 
Writ  of  the  Lord  the  King. 


It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  account  that  neither 
Sandleford  or  Preaux  had  the  whole  of  the  revenue  of  the 
mills  either  separately  or  together.     The  total  of  the  two 


"  The  Fulling  Mill  mentioned  shews  that  the  clothing  industry  was  estab- 
lished in  Newbury  at  this  early  period.  This  mill  is  no  doubt  to  he.  identified 
with  that  known  as  West  Mills,  being  described  in  a  terrier  temp.  Queen  Eli- 
zabeth as  "afullinge  myll,  lying  at  West  Mylls."  The  other  mill  we  may 
reasonably  conjecture  to  have  been  the  Town  Mill,  near  the  church,  which 
has  always  been  used  as  a  corn  mill,  and  hence  its  higher  value. 


to  Sandleford  Priory.  ^7 

mills  was  £iy  l6s.  M.,  the  sum  received  by  the  two  houses 
was  ^12  3 J.  /\d. 

As  in  the  case  of  many  more  important  houses,  the  later 
history  of  Sandleford  Priory  is  remarkably  scanty,  but 
in  the  particulars  appended  to  the  cause  between  the 
Attorney-General  and  Thomas  Coldwell  (the  then  Rector 
of  Newbury),  heard  in  the  Court  of  King's  Bench,  12 
James  I.,  161 5,  respecting  Tenths  and  First  Fruits  due 
to  the  King,  as  a  perpetual  pension  of  eight  pounds  pay- 
able to  an  Incumbent  in  the  church  or  chapel  of  Sandle- 
ford, parcel  of  the  possessions  of  His  Majesty's  free  chapel 
of  St.  George-the-Martyr,  within  the  castle  of  Windsor, 
and  which  said  church  or  chapel  of  Sandleford,  together 
with  the  tithes  thereof,  the  defendant  claimed  as  appertain- 
ing to  the  church  of  Newbury,  the  following  details  are 
recited  : — 

That  the  Priory  of  Sandleford  was  founded  before  time 
of  memory  by  Geoffrey,  Earl  of  Perche,  and  Maud  his 
wife,  and  the  church  of  Sandleford  being  then  the  church 
of  St.  John  Baptist,  was,  with  the  land  belonging  thereto, 
assigned  and  given  by  them  to  the  perpetual  service  of 
God,  and  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  and  All  Saints,  to 
hold  in  free  alms  as  by  the  deed  of  the  same  foundation 
and  gift  appeareth.  Which  gift  was  confirmed  by  King 
Henry  the  Third  in  the  seventeenth  year  of  his  reign,  by 
Letters  Patent  under  the  Great  Seal  of  England.  It  fur- 
ther appeared  that  by  an  ancient  Papal  Bull  %  the  Prior 
and  Canons  of  Sandleford  had  divers  privileges  granted 
unto  them,  and  amongst  others,  was  one  that  no  person 
should  build  a  chapel  or  oratory  within  the  limits  of  their 
parish  without  the  consent  of  themselves  and  of  the  Bishop 
of  the  Diocese.  The  Court  held  that  Sandleford  was  not 
within  the  parish  of  Newbury,  but  was  a  parish  of  itself. 
That  the  tithe  of  the  demesne  land  there  was  anciently 
due  to  the  Priors  and  Canons  who  had  the  charge  of  the 


«  This  Bull  has  the  date  of  1 130  given  to  it,  in  the  Pontificate  of  "  Gregory 
the  Sixth,"  but  this  is  evidently  an  error  both  in  date  and  name,  as 
Gregory  the  Sixth  obtained  the  Holy  See  in  1044,  and  Innocent  II.  in  1 1 30. 
Such  blunders  are  constantly  found  in  documents  of  the  seventeenth  century. 

F  2 


68  The  Gift  of  Mills  at  Newbury 

church  or  chapel,  and  were  bound  by  their  Orders  to  say 
divine  service  in  the  said  church.  But  that  as  the  church 
or  chapel  had  been  allowed  to  fall  into  decay  by  the 
farmers  of  the  Priory,  and  the  seats,  bells,  and  other 
furniture  being  all  taken  away,  the  Court  ordered  and 
decreed  that  eight  pounds  a  year  which  had  been  for- 
merly employed  in  maintaining  a  priest  to  serve  the  cure 
at  Sandleford,  should  in  future  be  paid  by  the  Dean  and 
Canons  of  St.  George's  Chapel,  Windsor,  and  their  suc- 
cessors, to  the  Rectors  of  Newbury  for  the  time  being, 
who,  if  they  be  required,  should  four  times  every  year 
(the  church  or  chapel  being  put  into  proper  repair),  say 
divine  service  or  preach  in  the  said  church  or  chapel. 
And  further,  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  Priory  house 
should  have  a  seat  assigned  to  them  and  their  servants  in 
Newbury  church,  and  have  all  the  privileges  of  parishioners ; 
but  should  not  stand  charged  with  payment  of  any  tithes 
in  kind  or  other  payments,  but  remain  as  a  parish  of  itself 
according  to  the  ancient  rights  and  privileges  thereof. 
As  concerning  tenths,  it  appeared  that  there  never  was 
any  Incumbent  presented  or  instituted  to  the  church  or 
chapel  of  Sandleford,  but  the  Prior  and  Canons,  being 
parson  and  parsonate  thereof  without  any  endowment  of 
vicar,  the  said  priory  and  all  the  possessions  thereof  were 
united,  annexed,  and  appropriated  to  the  said  Dean  and 
Canons  of  the  King's  Free  Chapel  of  St.  George  within 
the  Castle  of  Windsor,  about  the  seventeenth  year  of  King 
Edward  the  Fourth,  as  the  deed  of  appropriation  and 
union  shewed.  From  which  time  the  said  Dean  and 
Canons  placed  a  stipendiary  priest  to  say  divine  service 
in  the  said  church  or  chapel  of  Sandleford,  and  allowed 
him  a  stipend  of  eight  pounds  a  year,  as  by  accounts 
produced  of  the  time  of  Richard  the  Third,  Henry  the 
Seventh,  and  Henry  the  Eighth  appeared.  By  reason 
whereof  the  Commissioners  for  Valuations  of  Ecclesiastical 
Livings  in  the  twenty-sixth  year  of  the  said  King  Henry 
the  Eighth,  finding  a  priest  there  with  a  stipend  of  eight 
pounds  a  year,  certified  the  same  to  be  an  Incumbency 
of  a  Free  Chapel  with  a  perpetual  pension  of  eight  pounds 


to  Sandleford  Priory.  69 

a  year,  whereupon  the  tenths  thereof  were  rated  at  sixteen 
shillings.  But  forasmuch  as  it  appeared  there  was  never 
any  Incumbent,  but  only  a  stipendiary  priest  at  will, 
serving  for  wages  allowed  to  him  from  time  to  time  by 
the  said  Dean  and  Canons,  and  if  there  had  been  a  chan- 
try or  free  chapel  with  a  perpetual  Incumbent,  yet 
such  chantry  being  part  of  the  possessions  of  the  said 
Dean  and  Canons,  there  is  a  special  provision  in  the  statute 
of  first  of  King  Edward  the  Sixth  exempting  chantries 
from  the  general  law  of  being  given  to  the  Crown.  And 
also  there  is  another  special  provision  in  the  Statute  of 
first  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  whereby  first  fruits  and  tenths 
are  restored  to  the  Crown,  that  the  said  Dean  and  Canons 
shall  pay  no  tenths  or  first  fruits  to  the  Crown.  It  was 
therefore  ordered  by  the  Court  that  no  more  tenths  should 
be  charged  upon  the  said  church  or  chapel  of  Sandleford, 
or  upon  the  said  Dean  and  Canons  or  their  tenants  for 
the  same,  but  that  they  and  their  successors  should  be  for 
ever  freed  and  discharged  thereof. 

The  £Z  a  year  is  still  paid  to  the  Rector  of  Newbury 
by  the  present  owner  of  Sandleford,  who  has  purchased 
the  fee  simple  of  the  estate;  and  a  pew  in  Newbury  church 
is  allotted  to  the  Priory. 

It  is  shewn  by  sundry  records  that  in  addition  to  the 
property  at  Sandleford  the  Priory  had  possessions  at  East 
and  West  Enborne,  West  Ilsley,  Kingsclere-Woodlands, 
and  other  places  in  this  neighbourhood. 

The  chapel  of  the  monastery  is  mentioned  in  Ashmole's 
"  History  and  Antiquities  of  Berkshire,"  as  containing 
"  Upon  the  first  ascent  of  steps,  towards  the  High  Altar, 
a  free-stone  tomb  of  a  Knight  in  mail,  cross-legged, 
with  a  deep  shield  on  his  left  arm,  and  seeming  to 
draw  his  sword,  his  feet  resting  on  a  dragon."  Ashmole 
considered  this  effigy  as  probably  representing  the  Count 
of  Perche,  founder  of  the  monastery.  This  Geoffrey,  how- 
ever, was  buried  in  the  church  of  St.  Denis  at  Nogent. 
The  effigy  more  probably  represented  Thomas,  son  of 
the  founder  and  last  Count  of  Perche,  of  this  family,  who 
was  killed  at  Lincoln  in  12 17.     The  chapel  was  converted 


70  The  Gift  of  Mills  at  Newbury. 

into  a  dining-room  in  the  last  century,  when  the  property- 
belonged  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Montagu,  the  famous  "  blue 
stocking,"  widow  of  Edward  Montagu,  grandson  of  the 
first  Earl  of  Sandwich.  The  original  walls  are  still 
standing,  and  the  ancient  original  roof  exists  behind  the 
modern  flat  plaster  ceiling.  From  the  number  of  human 
remains  discovered,  it  appears  that  the  burial-ground  of 
the  monastery  was  on  the  north  side  of  the  chapel. 

In  a  previous  chapter  evidence  was  adduced  to  shew 
that  the  old  borough  of  Newbury  was  dependent  on  the 
manor  of  Speen  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Kennet,  and 
that  a  portion  of  its  revenues  were  applied  to  the  mo- 
nastery at  Aufay.  In  this  chapter  the  existence  of  a 
manor  south  of  the  river,  also  forming  part  of  the  modern 
parish,  has  been  demonstrated,  and  also  that  from  this 
portion  certain  grants  were  made  to  the  neighbouring 
Priory  of  Sandleford.  The  borough  of  Newbury,  therefore, 
in  those  days  at  least,  must  have  had  but  a  slightly  inde- 
pendent and  separate  standing.  Whatever  importance  it 
possessed  was  still  no  doubt  mainly  dependent  on  Speen, 
though  it  had  risen  with  sufficient  wealth  and  substance 
to  be  able  to  furnish  additional  aid  to  two  monastic  insti- 
tutions of  the  church.  It  had  not  yet  reached  a  position 
of  independence,  for  its  revenues  were  appropriated  to 
other  channels  than  its  own  individual  development  and 
prosperity. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


mewburs  in  tbe  trwelftb  Centuri?. 

The  Manorial  History. — The  evidence  from  the  Pipe  Rolls. — The  descent  of 
the  property  of  Emulf  de  Hesding. — The  family  of  Patrick  de  Cadurcis 
or  Chaworth. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — The  Siege  of  Newbury  in  1152. 
■ — The  circumstances  preceding  the  siege. — The  account  of  the  siege  in 
the  chronicles. — The  thirteenth-century  poem  on  the  Siege  of  Newbury 
from  the  Collection  of  Sir  Thomas  Phillips.— The  story  of  William  Mar- 
shal, the  boy-hostage. — The  probable  site  of  the  Castle  of  Newbury. — 
King  Henry  H.  at  Newbury  in  1155. — Newbury  in  the  reign  of 
Richard  I. — Grant  of  land  to  the  Knights  Hospitallers. 

FOR  an  interval  of  nearly  half  a  century  immediately 
succeeding  the  date  of  the  Domesday  Survey  there 
is  a  continuous  blank  in  our  Public  Records ;  and  the  link 
in  the  chain  connecting  the  owners  of  estates  enumerated 
in  the  Conqueror's  comprehensive  Terrier  with  those  who 
possessed  them  in  the  interval  is  not  easily  constructed, 
until  we  are  again  assisted  by  contemporaneous  official 
documents. 

The  earliest  information  after  "  Domesday  "  is  derived 
from  the  Great  Rolls  of  the  Exchequer,  or,  as  they 
are  commonly  designated,  the  "  Pipe  Rolls."  These  are 
the  most  important  of  the  Records  of  the  Court  of  Ex- 
chequer. They  furnish  us  with  considerable  materials  for 
estimating  the  extent  of  the  King's  revenue,  year  by  year, 
as  made  up  by  the  King's  officers  appointed  to  that  ser- 
vice, by  the  Sheriffs  of  the  counties  who  acted  as  the 
King's  bailiffs,  and  who  were  entrusted  with  the  "  ferm  "," 
custody,  or  wardenry  of  boroughs,  or  of  vacant  ecclesias- 
tical fiefs,  or  what  were  more  generally  termed  the  King's 
Demesnes  and  Escheats. 

*  Firma,  ferm  or  farm  ;  a  fixed  sum  or  rent  payable  by  way  of  composition  j 
the  profits  of  the  county  jurisdictions  let  at  fixed  sums  to  the  sheriffs. 


72  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  1 

This  notice  mentioning  Newbury  is  assigned  to  31  Henry 
I.,  1 130-31,  and  is  as  follows  : — 

"  Berchescira,  &c. 

"Aldwin  of  Niwebery  (Niweb'ia)  owes  ten  marks  of  silver  for 
a  plea  of  the  Treasury. 

"  Peisson,  a  man  of  Patrick  de  Chaworth,  owes  ten  marks  of 
silver,  of  the  plea  of  Geoffi-ey  de  Clint[on]  ^,  while  he  had  the 
keeping  of  the  land  of  Patrick  °." 

The  connection  between  Patrick  of  Chaworth  and  Er- 
nulf  de  Hesding  has  already  been  discussed,  and  it  has 
been  suggested  by  Mr.  Eyton  that  Matilda,  the  presumed 
third  daughter  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding  and  his  wife  Emme- 
lina,  succeeded  to  the  third  and  smallest  portion  of  the 
Domesday  fief  of  Ernulf ;  also  that  she  became  the  wife  of 
Patrick  de  Chaworth  (or  Cadurcis),  and  Newbury  being 
a  portion  of  this  smaller  Hesding  fief  will  account  for  the 
above  entry  on  the  Pipe  Roll. 

The  earliest  member  of  the  family  mentioned  in  the 
records  is  a  Patrick  de  Chaworth  (de  Cadurcis),  born  in 
Brittany,  who  had  the  manor  of  Kempsford,  Gloucester- 
shire, conveyed  to  him  by  Ernulf  de  Hesding  towards  the 
end  of  the  reign  of  William  I.,  and  this  same  Patrick 
gave  three  water-mills  in  Kempsford  (20  Will.  I.,  1086) 
to  the  Abbey  of  Gloucester,  which  grant  was  confirmed 
by  William  Rufus. 

Patrick  n.,  the  son  of  Patrick  de  Chaworth  I.,  succeeded 
his  father,  but  whether  before  1 130-31,  the  date  of  the 
Pipe  Roll,  or  after  is  uncertain.  He  gave  to  the  same 
abbey  a  water-mill  called  Horcote,  when  William  was 
abbot,  with  the  lands  adjoining,  and  the  tithes  of  the 
meadows  of  the  said  village.  The  grant  was  confirmed  by 
King  Henry  I.  This  Patrick  (6  Ric.  I.  =  1195)  paid  £6 
when  the  scutage  was  levied  for  ransom  of  the  king. 

The  next  entry  on  the  Pipe  Rolls  referring  to  Newbury 

i"  Geoffrey  de  Clinton,  the  King's  (Henry  I.)  Chancellor  and  Treasurer. 
"  Magn.  Rot.  Pipe,  31  Hen.  I.,  Oxon  and  Berks. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  J}, 

is  the  account  rendered  by  Adam  de  Catmera  (Catmore), 
the  Sheriff,  9  Hen.  II.,  1163d 

"The  same  Sheriff  [Adam  de  Catmera]  renders  account  of 
ten  marks  for  murder  in  Niweberi.  In  pardon  by  the  king's 
writ  to  Pagan  de  Mundublel  10  marks.     And  he  is  quit." 

Anciently  the  power  of  pardoning  offences  was  insepar- 
able from  the  Crown ;  but  in  certain  districts  the  right 
was  claimed  by  the  lords  of  the  manors  who  had  jura 
regalia,  by  ancient  grants  from  the  Crown,  or  by  pre- 
scription. The  amount  above  recorded  appears  to  have 
been  a  fine  or  pecuniary  punishment  of  an  offender  who 
had  committed  a  murder  in  Newbury ;  and  as  such  it  was 
part  of  the  proceeds  of  criminal  law  due  to  the  king. 

The  same  series  of  records  has  the  following  item  in  the 
account  of  the  Sheriff  of  Berkshire,  Adam  de  Catmore " 
(12  Hen  II.,  1 166),  for  the  farm  of  the  shire: — 

"William  de  Niwebery  owes  60  marks  for  an  appeal  of  falsi- 
fying coins  ["  Falsonarius "].  Sureties  [are]  Richard  son  of 
Turstun,  and  Richard  de  Limesi,  and  Nicholas,  Steward  of  Pagan 
de  Mundublel." 

There  is  some  doubt  about  the  word  "Falsonarius." 
According  to  Ducange  it  seems  to  mean  one  who  issues 
false  money,  or  debases  the  coinage. 

In  1 180  (26  Henry  II.)  Hugh  de  St.  Germain,  Sheriff 
of  Berks,  rendered  the  following  account  of  the  Fee-Farm 
of  the  township  of  Newbury,  in  which  we  again  find  men- 
tion of  the  name  of  the  Counts  of  Perche  in  connection 
with  the  manor ' .     Thus  : — 

"  The  same  Sheriff  [Hugh  de  St.  Germain]  renders  account  of 
40J.  from  the  township  of  Niwebery,  for  concealing  a  mare 
stolen. 

"  Niwebery,  Michaelmas,  26  H.  II.  and  Easter  following, 

when  this  account  was  written. 

^  Magn.  Rot.  Pipe,  9  Hen.  II.  (Oxon  and  Berks,  m.  5). 

'  It  seems  that  anciently,  and  before  the  statute  9  Edw.  II. ,  Sheriffs  were 
elected  by  the  freeholders  of  the  county,  as  the  Coroners  are  at  this  day,  and 
consequently  that  their  offices  did  not  determine  by  the  death  of  the  king. 
Adam  of  Catmore  held  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  Berks  for  eight  years. 

'  Magn.  Rot.  Pipe,  26  Hen.  II.,  m.  3. 


74  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

"Godfrey   and  Richard  de   Niwebery   (or   Niweberi)   render 
account  of  ;^49  for  the  farm  of  Niwebery  for  the  entire  year. 

£    s.    d. 

In  money  9     5     i 
Helye  (?  Eli)  de  Crapunt,  Steward   in  Hfe- 
time  of  Geoffrey  de   Perche  as  they  say 

and  said  Steward  testifies  .             .             .  24     5     o 

In  works  of  a  mill  by  order  of  Geoffrey        .  i   18     i 

Monks  of  Praels  [Pratellis  or  Pr^aux]            .  320 

Recluses  of  Sandleford          .             .             .  044 

Quit-rent  of  land  of  Richard  Orbi      .             .  006- 
Wm.,   son    of  Geoffrey,    Steward    of   Hum- 
phrey de  Bohun  b,  by  order  of  Ranulf  de 

Glanville "  (as  it  is  said).  .             .             .  10     5     o 


;^49'    o     o 


Here  it  will  be  convenient  to  refer  more  fully  to  the 
descent  of  the  manors  held  by  Ernulf  de  Hesding. 

Speaking  generally,  and  for  the  occasion  hypothetically, 
the  late  Mr.  Eyton'  suggests  that  eighty  years  after  the 
Domesday  Survey,  that  is  in  1 166  (the  date  of  the  Black 
Book  of  the  Exchequer),  Hesding's  Domesday  fief  can  be 
traced  as  divided  into  three  nearly  equal  portions,  and 
between  three  great  houses. 

I.  The  first  of  these  portions  is  that  held  by  Patrick, 
Earl  of  Sarum.  It  consisted  of  fifteen  knights'  fees  of 
old  feofifment,  and  one  knight's  fee  of  new  feoffment,  six- 
teen fees  in  all.  The  tenants  are  classified  under  Wiltshire  ; 
and  the  Earl,  who  makes  the  return  himself,  expressly 
states  that  these  sixteen  fees  were  part  of  his  mother's 
marriage-portion  ("  de   maritagio   matris    meae,"    and  "  de 


«  Matilda,  one  of  the  daughters  of  Edward  of  Salisbury,  was  given  in  mar- 
riage, with  several  manors,  to  the  second  Humphrey  de  Bohun,  surnamed  the 
Great,  Steward-of-the-Household  to  William  Rufus,  and  son  of  Humphrey 
cum  Barba,  a  kinsman  of  the  Conqueror.  It  was  this  Humphrey  de  Bohun, 
the  husband  of  Matilda  of  Salisbury,  who  founded  the  Priory  of  Farley,  Wilts, 
in  the  year  1125,  according  to  the  Register  of  Lewes  Abbey. 

■■  Ranulph  de  Glanville  was  appointed  Chief  Justiciary  in  1 180,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  office  during  the  remainder  of  Henry  II. 's  reign. 

'  "  Herald  and  Genealogist,"  vol.  vi.  pp.  241 — 253. 


Newbury  in  the  Tzvelfth  Century.  75 

dominlo  maritagii  matris  mese").  'Liber Niger'  (Hearne), 
I.  108. 

In  another  portion  of  the  same  record,  under  Glouces- 
tershire, it  is  stated  that  Earl  Patrick's  fief,  "de  matrimo- 
nio  matris  suae,"  consisted  of  twenty  knights'  fees,  and  of 
three  manors  of  £60  (annual  value),  besides  a  manor  of 
;£'20  (annual  value)  held  by  Nigel  de  Albini,  which  Mr. 
Eyton  conceives  to  belong  to  the  same  category,  and 
moreover  a  knight's  fee  held  by  Alured  of  Lincoln,  which 
Earl  Patrick  is  said  to  have  occupied  by  force  ("quod 
Comes  Patricius  cepit  per  guerram").  ('Liber  Niger,' 
p.  171.) 

Mr.  Eyton  concludes  that  Earl  Patrick's  Barony  of  Cettre, 
i.e.  Chittern,  co.  Wilts,  consisted,  in  11 66,  either  of  six- 
teen, or  of  more  than  twenty,  knights'  fees,  according  as  he 
or  others  estimated  its  constitution. 

2.  The  second  (under  Gloucestershire  in  the  record), 
presumedly  consisting  of  \2\  knights'  fees,  was  afterwards 
known  as  the  Barony  of  Kempsford. 

3.  The  third  of  these  portions  is,  by  a  mere  accident 
of  the  time,  treated  of  in  the  "  Liber  Niger  "  in  two  sub- 
divisions. 

The  first  subdivision  comes  in  the  record  immediately 
after  the  Barony  of  Pagan  de  Mondublel  ^,  and  is  entitled 
"  De  eodem  tenemento  divisio,"  that  is,  a  section  of  the  same 
original  Domesday  fief  as  that  in  which  Pagan  de  Mon- 
dublel held  I2f  fees.  This  section  consisted  of  seven 
knights'  fees  (of  old  feoffment),  which  were  held,  by  their 
respective  tenants,  of  Geoffrey  de  Ver.  And  it  said  or 
rather  implied  (for  the  MS.  is  faulty)  that  this  fief  was  part 
of  the  same  holding  as  that  of  which  "  Patrick  de  Chaurcis," 
the  grandfather  of  Pagan  de  Mondublel,  held  another  part 
on  the  day  Henry  the  First  died  (Dec.  i,  113S).  "Liber 
Niger"  (Hearne),  I,  171. 

The  second  subdivision  of  the  third  portion  of  Hesding's 
Domesday  fief  is  entered   in  the   "Liber  Niger"    under 


^  Montdoubleau  is  in  the  arrondissement  of  Vendome,  formerly  belonging 
to  Maine. 


"jQ  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

Shropshire,  but  is  evidently  a  Wiltshire  fief.  It  consists 
of  Sj  knights'  fees  (of  old  feoffment  apparently)  held  by 
the  respective  tenants  "  of  the  fee  of  William  Fitz-Alan  of 
Wiltshire ;"  and,  in  a  note  about  services  to  the  Crown, 
the  record  states  that  this  holding  had  formerly  been 
Ernulf  de  Hesding's.     "Liber  Niger"  (Hearne),  I.,  145. 

It  may  be  noted  that  three  tenants  of  Geoffrey  de  Ver's 
list  are  identical  v^^ith  three  in  Fitz-Alan's  list, — that  the 
two  subdivisions,  when  united,  constitute  a  Barony  of  15^ 
knights'  fees,  afterwards  reconsolidated  in  Fitz-Alan, — 
and  that  the  division  was  made  because  Isabel  de  Say, 
widow  of  the  first,  and  mother  of  the  then  living 
William  Fitz-Alan,  had  received  the  aforesaid  seven  fees 
in  dower,  and  had  carried  them  to  her  second  husband, 
Geoffrey  de  Ver. 

Where  a  Domesday  fief,  like  Ernulf  de  Hesding's,  is 
found  in  1166  to  be  thus  divided  between  three  principal 
and  nearly  equal  participants ',  we  may  presume  (con- 
tinues the  same  authority)  that  during  the  interval  of 
eighty  years  the  Domesday  inheritance  had  lapsed  to 
three  sisters  and  co-heiresses.  It  follows  from  a  consider- 
ation of  all  the  circumstances  that  the  earliest  co-heiress 
of  Hesding  was,  in  1166,  represented  by  the  Earl  of  Salis- 
bury, the  second  by  Fitz-Alan,  the  third  by  De  Monte 
Dubleau,  or,  according  to  the  style  more  commonly  adopted 
by  the  family,  De  Cadurcis. 

Any  one  instance  in  which  we  can  trace  the  descent 
from  Ernulf  de  Hesding  to  any  of  the  three  inheritors  of 
1 1 66  will  be  a  key  to  the  two  others.  Mr.  Eyton  traces 
the  descent  from  Ernulf  de  Hesding  (1086)  to  the  second 
William  Fitz-Alan  (1166),  in  the  following  pedigree,  and 
other  proofs  are  demonstrable  of  connection  subsisting 
between  the  families  of  Hesding  and  Fitz-Alan. 

Mr.  Eyton  points  out  certain  exceptions  to  this  statement :  —  namely, 
Pevesei  (Wilts),  Cumbe  (Hants),  Escetingstone  or  Estchalindon  (Wilts),  and 
Rislepe  or  RuUepe  (Middlesex). 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 


77 


1st  wife,  or  other  wife, 


=  Ernulf  de  Hesding.  Occurs  =  2nd  wife,  Emme- 
1066,  1086,  1091.  I      Una. 


Emulf  de  Hesding. 
Occurs  in  1 130.  Put 
to  death  by  King 
Stephen  in  1 138. 


Avelina,  Adeliza,  or^ 
Adelina  de  Hes- 
ding. Occurs  1 126. 


1st.  Alan  Fitz-Flaald.  Occurs 
lioi — 1 109.  Dead  1 114. 

2ndly.  Robert  Fitz- Walter, 
Occurs  1 126. 


I 


and  husband,   Geof-  =  2nd     wife,     Isabel,  =  William  Fitz-  =  lst  wife,   Con- 


frey    de    Vere,  ob. 
1 170. 
3rd  husband,  William 
Botterel. 


sole  dau.  and  heir 
of  Helias  de  Say, 
Baron  of  Clun ; 
dead  1199. 


Alan  I.,  born 
circ.  1 105, 
died  1 160. 


stantia,  niece 
of  Robert  de 
Caen,  Earl  of 
Gloucester. 


A 

s.  p.  m. 


I 
=  William  Fitz- Alan  II. 
I       1115,  died  1210. 
A 


born  circ. 


The  third  (smallest)  portion  of  the  Domesday  fief  be- 
longing to  Ernulf  de  Hesding,  Mr.  Eyton  believes  to  have 
gone  to  Matilda,  whom  he  presumes  to  have  been  third 
daughter  of  Ernulf  and  his  wife  Emmelina.  This  Matilda 
he  regards  as  the  wife  of  Patrick  de  Cadurcis,  as  previ- 
ously mentioned.  Mr.  Eyton  fully  explains  his  data  for 
the  following  pedigree  of  Mondublel  from  Hesding  : — 

Ernulf  de  Hesding  I.,  1066 — 1091.  =Emmelina. 
I 

I   . 
Patrick  de  Cadurcis  I.     Occurs  be- =  Matilda  de  Hesding,  presumed  co- 
fore  1 100.     Deceased  1130.  I      heir  of  her  mother. 


Patrick  de  Cadurcis  II.     Occurs  1130.  =Wilburga. 

Pagan    de    Montdublel,  alias  de  = Beatrix.  =  Hugh  de  Cadurcis. 

(Hugh    de    Chaurcis    occurs 
1171.) 


Cadurcis. 


Patrick  de  Cadurcis.     Occurs  1171. 


and  concludes  that  the  largest  portion  of  the  three  into 
which,  within  a  generation,  the  Domesday  fief  of  Ernulf 
de  Hesding  was  divided,  went  to  Walter  de  Salisbury, 
whose  wife,  the  mother  of  Earl  Patrick  of  Sarum,  was 


;8 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 


Sibil  de  Hesding,  though  called  "  Sibilla  de  Chaworth  " 
by  genealogists. 

The  following  corrected  table  shews  the  pedigree  of 
the  Salisbury  and  Perche  families  as  connected  with  that 
of  Hesding : — 


Emme-  =  Emulf    de     Hes- 


lina. 


ding    (I.),    1066, 
1086,  1091. 


Edward  de   Salis-  = 
bury,io82 — 1119, 
Dead  1 130. 


Humphrey    de  = 
Bohun"  (L), 
1086. 


Sibil   de    Hesding,  =  Walter  de  Salisbury.     Matilda  de  =  Humphrey  de  Bohun  (I.), 


presumed    co-heir 
of  her  mother. 


Occurs  1 136, 
Dead  1 147. 


1 142.     Salisbury. 


Married  between  1087  and 
noo.     Died  about  1129. 


I 


1st     =Rotrou  =2nd 
wife, 
Bea- 
trix de 
Roucy. 


in., 

Comte 
de 

Perche, 
1 100 — 
"43- 


wife, 
Ha- 
wise  de 


1st 
wife, 
Ma- 
tilda 


=  Patrick  de  Salis- 
bury ;  attests  a 
charter  of  the 
Empress  inter 

Sails-       1 142  and  1147, 

bury.  as  Patrick  de  Sa- 

rum,  Constable. 
Created 
Earl  of  Sahs- 
bury  by  the  Em- 
press before 
1153,  when  he 
attests  as  such. 
Slain   in  Acqui- 
taine.  Mar.  27, 
1 168. 


:2nd  wife, 
Ela,  dau. 
of  Will. 
Talrace, 
Comte  of 
Ponthieu, 
and  widow 
of  Will., 
Earl  War- 
ren, who 
died 

1 148.    She 
died  Dec. 
4.  II74- 


Hum- 
phrey 
de  Bo- 
hun 
(HI.) 
Pays 
his  re- 
lief 
1 130. 
Dead 
1165. 


=  Mar- 
gery, 
dau. 
and  co- 
heir of 
Milo, 
Earl  of 
Here- 
ford. 
Died 
April 
6,1187. 


I 


I 


Rotrou     =  Matilda,  William,    =  Alianor,dau.of    Humphrey  =  Margaret.sister 


IV., 
Comte  de 
Perche, 

"43— 
1 191.  Died 
at  Acre, 
1191. 

r 


daughter  of 
Thibault 
IV.,  Count 
Palatin  de 
Brie,  &c. 


Earl  of 

Salisbury. 

Occurs 

1173— 
1 1 94. 
Dead 
1 1 96. 


Robert  de  Vi- 
tre,  and  widow 
of  William 
Paynel,  who 
died  1 1 84.  She 
was  living  in 
1227. 


de  Bohun 
(IV.)   Oc- 
curs in 
1 1 66. 
Mar.  ante 
1175,  ob. 
circa  1185. 


of  William, 
King  of  Scots, 
and  widow  of 
Conan  le  Petit, 
Earl  of  Bre- 
tagne ;  qui  ob. 
c.  iiyi. 


Geoffrey  IV. , 
Comte  de 
Perche,  1 191, 
1202  ;  mar. 
in  1 189  to 
Matilda  of 
Saxony. — 

I 
A 


Ela  de  Salisbury,  eldest 
dau.  and  heir;  mar.  and 
conveyed  the  Earldom  to 
William  Longespee,  natural 
son  of  King  Henry  II., 
who  died  March  7,  1226. 
The  Countess  Ela  died  in 
1261. — 

I 
A 


I 


Henry  de  Bo- =  Matilda,  dau. 


hun,  natus 
1 176;  ob. 
1220. 


and  heir  of 
Geoffrey 
Fitz- Piers. 


"He  had  somehow  acquired  a  feoffment  of  two  Knights'  fees  in  the  Hes- 
famfl       "^^'^^y  ^^^'  "^™^'y  °f  *at  portion  that   went  to  the   Cadurcis 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  79 

There  is  thus  some  reason  to  suppose  that  the  Berkshire 
property  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding,  the  Domesday  lord,  was 
acquired  by  the  Chaworths  and  the  Perches.  The  Patrick 
de  Chaworth  mentioned  in  the  Pipe  Roll  above  recited 
was  the  presumed  son  of  the  first  Patrick  de  Chaworth, 
or  de  Cadurcis,  who  married  Matilda,  who  we  conclude  was 
the  third  daughter  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding  and  his  wife 
Emmelina,  thereby  acquiring  an  interest  in  Ernulf's  fief. 
The  Earls  of  Perche  acquired  their  interest  in  Newbury 
by  the  marriage  of  Rotrou  of  Perche  with  Hawise  de 
Salisbury,  grand-daughter  of  Ernulf  de  Hesding. 

It  has  been  thought  well  to  give  the  deductions  of  the 
principal  writer  on  the  question  bearing  on  the  genealogy 
of  Ernulf  de  Hesding  and  the  disposition  of  his  extensive 
property,  but  we  are  still  left  in  doubt  and  uncertainty  on 
many  points  which  cannot  be  satisfactorily  reconciled. 

The  Siege  of  the  Castle  of  Newbury  in  1152. 
Henry  of  Huntingdon  states  that  King  Stephen  gained 
the  castle  of  Newbury  by  assault  in  1152,  in  the  following 
passage  in  his  chronicles  : — 

"The  King  in  the  same  year  (11 5 2)  made  an  attack  on  the 
Castle  of  Newbury,  which  is  not  far  from  Winchester,  and  at 
length  carried  it  by  storm.  He  then  laid  siege  to  the  Castle 
of  Wallingford.  He  erected  a  fort  at  the  head  of  the  bridge, 
which  made  it  impossible  for  the  troops  that  defended  the  castle 
either  to  go  out  for  provisions,  or  to  receive  any  in  °." 

The  event  is  also  alluded  to  in  the  chronicle  of  Gervase 
of  Canterbury,  which,  from  the  year  iioo  to  1 141,  is  princi- 
pally derived  from  Henry  of  Huntingdon  and  the  con- 
tinuation of  Florence  of  Worcester.  Gervase  also  continues 
to  use  Henry  of  Huntingdon  to  A.D.  1154,  which  embraces 
the  period  of  Stephen's  operations  before  Newbury,  which 
he  thus  summarises  : — 

"  The  King  then  besieged  the  Castle  of  Newbury,  and  having 
erected  a  fort  there  [at  WaUingford]  deprived  the  besieged  of 
every  opportunity  for  going  out  °." 

"  Chron.  Hen.  Hunt.,  Rolls  Series,  p.  284. 
°  Chron.  Gervase  of  Canterbury,  Rolls  Series,  vol.  i.  p.  151. 


8o  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  omission  of  the  intermediate 
passages  by  Gervase  has  led  to  his  making  the  fort  erected 
at  Newbury  instead  of  at  Wallingford. 

Another  reliable  allusion  to  the  siege  of  the  castle,  or 
at  least  concurrent  evidence  that  such  a  transaction  oc- 
curred at  the  time  the  chroniclers  state,  is  to  be  found  in 
the  Cartulary  of  Bermondsey  Abbey?,  where  the  names 
of  witnesses  to  a  charter  are  given  (but  not  the  charter 
itself),  as  being  present  at  the  siege  of  Newbury : — 

"  William,  Earl  of  Chichester,  Richard  de  Lucy,  William  Mar- 
tel,  Richard  de  Camvil,  Roger  de  Fraxino,  Jordan  de  Pod,  wit- 
nesses of  King  Stephen's  charter  at  the  siege  of  Newbury." 

William  Martel  and  Richard  de  Lucy  are  mentioned  by 
Henry  of  Huntingdon,  Gervase,  and  the  other  historians, 
as  among  those  who  took  part  with  Stephen  against  the 
Empress  Matilda ;  and  the  names  "  William,  Earl  of 
Chichester,  Richard  de  Luce,  William  Martel  (Seneschal), 
and  Richard  de  Camavilla"  occur  as  witnesses  to  the  treaty 
of  Wallingford  concluded  at  the  end  of  November,  1153, 
between  King  Stephen  and  Henry,  son  of  the  Empress 
Matilda,  by  which  Stephen  was  recognised  as  king,  and 
in  turn  he  acknowledged  Henry  as  his  heir.  "Robertus 
Prior  Bermondeseye"  was  also  a  witness  to  this  convention. 

It  is  probable,  for  we  have  no  authentic  history,  that 
the  castle  at  Newbury  was  erected  early  in  the  reign  of 
Stephen,  one  of  whose  first  acts  on  coming  to  the  throne 
being  to  give  licence  to  all  lords  who  chose  to  build  castles 
on  their  own  lands.  Or  it  may  have  been  one  of  those 
small  castles  or  fortified  outposts  hastily  erected  by  the 
partisans  of  the  Empress  Matilda  on  the  breaking  out  of  the 
warfare  with  Stephen,  and  probably  consisted  of  a  square 
tower  only.  But  above  and  beyond  this  incidental  reference 
we  have  a  contemporary  account  of  the  siege  in  "L'Histoire 
de  Guillaume  Le  Marechal,"  which  constitutes  the  most 
interesting  historical  episode  in  connection  with  the  town 

p  Cottonian  MSS.  Claudius  A.  viii.  fol.  no.  In  Dugdale  (Monasticon, 
vol.  V.  p.  98)  are  notes  of  three  charters  of  Stephen  to  Bermondsey  Abbey, 
but  there  is  nothing  to  shew  to  which  the  signatures  belong. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  ■         8i 

at  this  obscure  period  that  has  recently  been  acquired. 
There  is,  however,  to  be  set  against  this  supposition  the 
fact  that  the  fortress  sustained  a  siege  of  several  weeks' 
duration,  which  infers  that  it  could  not  have  been  of  such 
a  temporary  character  as  hasty  construction  would  imply. 

This  MS.,  which  is  so  rich  in  new  facts  throwing  fresh 
light  upon  the  siege  of  the  castle  of  Newbury,  consists  of 
a  poem  in  French  of  the  thirteenth  century,  of  19,214 
octosyllabic  lines,  giving  the  detailed  history  of  William 
Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  Marshal  of  England,  who  in 
his  old  age  was  Regent  of  England  during  the  first  three 
years  of  the  boy-king  Henry  III.1 

M.  Meyer,  President  of  the  French  Ecole  des  Chartes, 
is  of  opinion  that  the  poem  was  drawn  up  at  the  expense 
and  by  order  of  the  second  William  Marshal,  eldest  son 
of  the  Protector  Marshal,  who  gave  money  to  John  of 
Erlie  (Earley,  co.  Berks),  one  of  the  Marshal's  most  trusted 
servants  and  companions,  to  have  this  done.  The  bulk 
of  the  matter  M.  Meyer  conjectures  to  have  been  sup- 
plied, most  probably  in  prose,  by  John  of  Erlie  as  an  eye- 
witness, the  actual  author  being  a  poet  by  profession,  a 
court  poet,  who  supplemented  John  of  Erlie's  information 
from  other  sources,  he,  too,  possibly  having  been  an  eye- 
witness of  many  of  the  scenes  he  describes. 

The  family  of  Erlegh,  or  de  Erlega,  so  called  from  a 
lordship  at  Earley,  near  Reading,  had  large  possessions 
in  the  counties  of  Somerset  and  Berks.  The  first  of  the 
name  that  occurs  in  the  records  of  Somerset  is  John  de 
Erlegh,  who  was  possessed  of  several  manors  in  this 
county,  one  of  which  still  bears  his  name,  Somerton  Erie ; 
this  John  died  11  Hen.  H.,  1165.  He  was  succeeded  by 
William  de  Erlegh,  his  son.  This  William,  lord  of  the 
manor  of  Durston,  was  the  founder  of  a  priory  at  Mynchin 
Buckland,  co.  Somerset,  to  which,  amongst  divers  other 

1  It  was  purchased  at  the  sale  of  the  Savile  collection  in  London,  Feb.  6, 
1861,  by  the  late  Sir  Thomas  Phillips  of  Cheltenham,  for;^38o,  and  was  found 
in  1880  amongst  the  remarkable  collection  of  MSS.  at  Middle  Hill  by 
M.  Paul  Meyer,  who  remembered  having  seen  the  volume  when  he  at- 
tended the  Savile  sale  twenty-one  years  previously,  on  behalf  of  the  Imperial 
Library  at  Paris. 

G 


82  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

property,  he  gave  the  church  of  Beckington.  John  de 
Erlegh,  son  and  heir  of  William,  6  Rich.  I.,  1195,  paid 
scutage  for  his  lands  in  Somerset  and  Berks.  William 
de  Erlegh,  his  eldest  son,  paid  scutage  for  lands  in  Berks 
and  Somerset  in  his  father's  lifetime.  He  left  two  sons, 
John  and  Henry,  of  whom  the  former  died  without  issue, 
1228,  whereof  Henry  his  brother  became  his  heir,  and  was 
Sheriff  of  Somerset  and  of  Dorset  that  same  year. 

In  the  isth  year  .of  Hen.  HI.,  1231,  this  Henry  de 
Erlegh  paid  20  marks  for  the  scutage  of  the  lands  which 
John  had  held  of  the  King  as  tenant  in  capite  at  Erlegh, 
or  Earley,  in  Berks.  It  is  therefore  evident  that,  as  William 
Marshal  died  in  1219,  and  John  de  Erlegh  in  1228,  or 
at  all  events  before  1231,  the  poem  must  have  been  com- 
posed in  the  interval  comprising  these  dates. 

An  explanation  as  to  the  constructiori  of  the  poetical 
biography  of  William  Marshal  being  undertaken  by  John 
de  Erlegh  is  afforded  by  the  Close  Roll  >■,  wherein  John  de 
Erlegh  is  shewn  to  have  been  one  of  the  executors  of 
William  Marshal,  who  probably  instructed  him  to  prepare 
a  chronicle  of  the  chief  incidents  in  his  remarkable  and 
eventful  career.  Be  this  as  it  may,  we  can  fairly  assume 
that  John  de  Erlegh  was,  both  from  his  being  a  companion 
in  arms  with  William  Marshal,  and  also  as  his  legally- 
appointed  executor,  the  person  most  suitable  and  qualified 
to  perform  such  a  friendly  service. 

In  the  poem  we  have  a  fair  summary  of  the  events  of 
Stephen's  reign  to  the  struggle  for  the  throne  between  the 
King  and  the  Empress  Matilda.  The  poet  recounts  how, 
no  sooner  was  Henry  dead  than  Stephen,  Count  of  Bou- 
logne and  Mortagne, — third  son  of  Stephen,  Count  of 
Blois,  and  Adela,  fourth  daughter  of  William  the  Con- 
queror, who  was  married  to  Matilda,  daughter  of  Eustace, 
Count  of  Boulogne, — hastened  over  to  England,  an^  by  an 
expedient  equally  dishonourable  with  the  other  steps  by 
which  this  revolution  was  effected,  was  crowned  king  by 
William  of  Corbeuil,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  Dec.  22, 
II3S- 

'  Vol.  i.  p.  602. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  83 

Matilda  and  her  husband  Geoffrey  were  as  unfortunate 
in  Normandy  as  they  had  been  in  England.  The  Norman 
nobility,  influenced  by  hearing  that  Stephen  had  obtained 
the  English  crown,  transferred  to  him  their  allegiance,  and 
put  him  in  possession  of  their  own  government.  Robert, 
Earl  of  Gloucester,  natural  brother  to  Matilda,  whose  in- 
terests were  committed  to  his  care  by  her  father,  was  not, 
however,  of  a  disposition  to  submit  to  Stephen's  usurpation 
without  making  some  effort  for  the  recovery  of  the  royal 
authority.  The  Empress  also  had  another  defender  and 
supporter  in  her  uncle  David,  King  of  Scotland,  and  in 
the  year  1138  he  completely  routed  Stephen  at  the  famous 
battle  of  the  Standard,  which,  after  the  immediate  events 
of  the  Conquest,  was  the  first  contest  in  which  the  English 
encountered  the  Scots.  Stephen  having  embroiled  himself 
with  the  clergy  the  following  year,  on  the  subject  of  the 
fortresses  of  certain  prelates  which  he  had  appropriated, 
the  Bishop  of  Winchester,  Henry  de  Blois,  the'  papal 
legate  and  the  king's  brother,  placed  himself  at  the  head 
of  the  malcontents.  Matilda  upon  this  came  also  to 
England,  and  profiting  by  the  division  which  existed, 
excited  her  partisans  to  take  arms  in  her  defence,  and  war 
was  soon  spread  in  every  quarter.  The  poem  describes  how, 
after  several  fruitless  negotiations  and  treaties  of  peace, 
which  never  interrupted  the  hostilities,  Ranulf,  Earl  of 
Chester,  and  his  half-brother  William  de  Roraara,  partisans 
of  Matilda,  surprised  the  castle  of  Lincoln,  when  the  citi- 
zens, being  favourable  to  Stephen,  urged  him  'to  come  to 
their  aid.  The  Earl  of  Gloucester  meanwhile  hastened 
with  an  army  to  the  relief  of  his  friends,  and  on  Feb.  2, 
1 141,  he  succeeded  in  defeating  Stephen,  whom  he  cap- 
tured and  sent  to  Matilda,  by  whose  orders  the  King  was 
conveyed  to  Bristol  castle,  and  kept  a  close  prisoner. 
Matilda,  after  this,  made  great  progress.  Nearly  all  the 
towns  excepting  London  recognised  her,  and  the  fol- 
lowing March  she  was  crowned  Queen  at  Winchester. 
But  she  spoilt  all  her  victories,  says  the  chroniclers,  by 
her  great  haiiteur.  The  Bishop  of  Winchester,  to  whom 
she  was    indebted  for  her  progress  or  success,   left  her, 

G  2 


84  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

and  marshalled  himself  on  the  side  of  his  brother,  the 
King. 

The  poet  describes  many  details  in  connection  with  the 
siege  of  Winchester,  in  1141  (though  in  one  or  two  points 
wanting  in  accuracy),  which  had  been  carried  on  for  some 
two  months.  The  Earl  of  Gloucester,  finding  there  was 
no  possibility  of  holding  out  any  longer,  and  seeing  for- 
tune inclining  towards  the  opposite  party,  deemed  it 
expedient  to  secure  the  Empress's  safety,  and  to  retire 
from  the  castle.  Having  sent  the  Empress,  his  half-sister, 
in  advance  towards  Ludgershall  with  an  escort  consisting 
of  the  King  of  Scotland,  Reginald  de  Dunstanville  =  (half- 
brother  to  the  Empress),  Brien  Fitz-Count,  and  a  few 
other  trusty  followers,  he  gradually  withdrew  his  forces 
from  the  castle.  He  was  immediately  pursued  by  a  de- 
tachment of  the  King's  troops,  who  considerably  harassed 
his  rear,  in  order  to  retard  his  march  while  the  rest  of  the 
army  were  advancing  to  surround  him.  In  a  narrow 
lane,  near  Wherwell  Priory',  a  considerable  engagement 
took  place,  in  which  the  Earl  of  Gloucester,  who  would 
insist,  say  the  historians,  in  marching  last  through  the 
narrow  defile,  was  taken  prisoner,  and  forthwith  placed  in 
confinement  in  Rochester  castle,  the  Empress  and  her 
escort  meanwhile  succeeding  in  escaping,  to  Ludgershall 
castle,  and  thence  to  Devizes.  On  the  following  ist  of 
November  he  was  exchanged  for  Stephen.  The  King,  re- 
gaining his  liberty,  laid  siege  to  the  castle  of  Oxford,  to 
which  fortress  his  rival  and  cousin  the  Empress  had  retired 
in  1 142.  The  story  of  the  escape  of  the  Empress  from  the 
blockaded  castle  at  Oxford  to  Wallingford  is  too  well 
known  to  need  repetition.     Robert,  Earl  of  Gloucester, 


"  Reginald  de  Dunstanville,  a  natural  son  of  Henry  I. ,  by  a  daughter  and 
co-heir  of  Robert  Corbet  of  Alcester,  in  the  county  of  Warwick,  created  Earl 
of  Cornwall  by  Stephen  in  the  fifth  year  of  his  reign,  a.d.  i  140.  He  died  in 
1 1 76,  at  Chertsey ,  and  was  buried  at  Reading  Abbey. 

'  In  the  course  of  constructing  a  new  line  from  Hurstbourne  Siding  to 
FuUerton  Junction  by  the  South- Western  Railway  Co.  in  the  autumn  of  1883, 
eight  human  skeletons  were  unearthed  at  Wherwell,  near  the  spot  indicated. 
They  were  found  very  close  together — about  two  feet  below  the  surface — and 
were  probably  the  remains  of  soldiers  who  fell  in  this  encounter  between  the 
troops  of  Stephen  and  Matilda. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  85 

died  at  Bristol  Oct.  31,  1147;  and  the  Empress  Matilda 
soon  after  retired  to  Normandy.  In  1148  the  weakness  of 
both  sides,  rather  than  any  decrease  of  mutual  animosity, 
produced  a  cessation  of  arms  in  England  ;  but  in  11 50  the 
young  Prince  Henry,  son  of  the  Empress,  became  a  for- 
midable rival  to  Stephen,  who  was  desirous  to  insure  the 
crown  to  his  son  Eustace,  Count  of  Boulogne.  Upon  the 
death  of  his  father,  Geoffrey,  in  1151,  Prince  Henry  suc- 
ceeded to  the  Earldom  of  Anjou  and  Maine,  and  further 
added  to' the  extent  of  his  dominions  by  his  marriage  in  1 152 
with  Eleanor,  the  daughter  and  heiress  of  William,  Duke 
of  Guienne  or  Acquitaine,  and  Earl  of  Poitou,  the  divorced 
wife  of  Louis  VH.,  King  of  France.  Henry,  informed  of 
the  intentions  of  Stephen,  after  an  absence  of  two  years 
and  four  months  in  Normandy,  landed  in  England  with 
an  auxiliary  force  in  January,  1152,  and  in  order  to  draw 
off  the  King's  forces  from  Wallingford,  a  place  of  consider- 
able importance,  which  Stephen  had  for  some  time  been 
besieging,  laid  siege  to  Malmesbury,  and  then  hastened  to 
the  relief  of  the  former  garrison.  A  decisive  action  was 
every  day  expected,  when  a  truce  was  agreed  on  between 
Stephen  and  Prince  Henry,  one  of  the  conditions  being 
that  the  King  should  dismantle  the  forts  at  Wallingford, 
and  raise  the  blockade  of  the  town.  But  instead  of 
carrying  out  this  stipulation  Stephen  left  Wallingford  and 
laid  siege  this  year  to  the  castle  of  Newbury. 

The  earlier  part  of  the  poem,  verses  23 — 119  and  370 — 
398,  recites  the  life  of  John  Marshal,  and  his  two  mar- 
riages; verses  120 — 369,  John  the  Marshal  fighting  for  the 
Empress,  the  siege  of  Winchester,  retreat  of  the  Empress 
on  Ludgershall,  battle  with  Stephen's  troops,  struggle 
against  Patrick,  Earl  of  Salisbury;  verses  399 — 714,  the 
siege  of  Newbury. 

Taking  the  poem  in  the  above  sections,  it  primarily 
furnishes  us  with  the  information  that  John  Marshal  was 
twice  married.  The  circumstances  attending  his  second 
marriage  are  quite  historical.  Patrick,  Earl  of  Salisbury, 
was  a  staunch  supporter  of  Stephen,  and  fought  against 
John  Marshal  (v.  147).     He  was  at  one  time  the  van- 


86  Newbury  ijt  the  Twelfth  Century. 

quished  (v.  34'4),  but  later  on  it  was  John  who  had  "le 
pire  jeu  partie"  (v.  369).  He  (John  Marshal)  left  his  own 
wife  and  married  Sybil,  sister  of  Count  Patrick,  and 
mother  of  William  Marshal,  about  1141.  He  did  it  to 
put  an  end  to  discord,  and  afterwards  peace  existed  be- 
tween the  families  for  the  remainder  of  their  lives  (v.  375  — 

377)- 

John  Marshal  was  one  of  the  most  valiant  champions  of 
Matilda.  The  unknown  author  of  "  Gesta  Stephani,"  who 
holds  for  the  Prince  in  whose  interests  he  writes,  shews 
him  as  occupying  Marlborough, — carrying  trouble  into  the 
country  without  consideration  to  the  ecclesiastical  cen- 
sures which  were  levelled  at  him,  and  expresses  his  opinion 
of  him  by  describing  him  as  stipes  inferni. 

Although  there  are  several  manifest  errors  in  the  poem, 
there  is  much  informution  which  is  new  and  authentic 
to  extract  from  it,  notably  the  narrative,  so  animated  and 
dramatic,  of  the  retreat  of  the  Empress  on  Ludgershall,  in 
which  John  Marshal  occupied  a  most  prominent  part, 
which  has  hitherto  been  ignored.  It  was  he  who  advised 
the  Empress  to  beat  a  retreat  on  Ludgershall  (v.  199), 
confiding  her  to  the  guidance  of  Brien  of  Wallingford 
(v.  228),  and  who,  to  facilitate  her  escape,  asked  her  with- 
out ceremony  to  disguise  herself  as  a  man,  and  ride  on 
horseback  "jambe  de  ca,  jambe  de  la"  (v.  213  —  224).  It 
was  he  also  who  withstood  an  attack  from  the  enemy 
between  Winchester  and  Ludgershall,  nea.r  Wherwell,  and 
secured  the  retreat  of  the  Empress.  John  Marshal,  having 
escaped"  the  pursuit  of  the  Royalists,  notwithstanding  his 
wounds — having  been  shot  in  the  eye — struggled  on  foot 
to  Marlborough,  where  he  was  received  with  great  joy. 
According  to  the  "Gesta  Stephani"  John  Marshal  had  a 
residence  in  Marlborough  ". 

"  Probably  at  Rockley,  near  Marlborough.  The  Domesday  owner  of  this 
manor  was  Edward  of  Salisbury,  Sheriff  of  Wilts,  grandfather  of  Patrick  of 
Salisbury,  the  brother  of  Sybil,  second  wife  of  John  Marshal,  and  this  John  le 
Marshal  gave  a  hide  of  land  at  Rockley  to  the  Knights  Templars,  2  Hen.  II., 
who  sent  some  of  their  fraternity  hither,  and  made  it  a  preceptory.  It  came 
afterwards  to  the  Knights  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem,  and  was  assigned  toward 
the  maintenance  of  their  house  at  Saunford  in  Oxfordshire. —Tanner,  Not. 
Mon.,  ed.  Nasmyth,  Wiltsh.  xxx. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  %J 

Later  on  we  find  John  Marshal  at  Ludgershall,  where 
the  royalists  hoped  to  surround  him,  but  he  succeeded  in 
surprising  Stephen's  army  on  its  march,  and  inflicted  on 
them  a  great  check,  the  Earl  Patrick  of  Salisbury  in  this 
affair  losing  his  most  valued  companions.  This  occurrence 
is  not  rrientioned  by  other  historians. 

The  poet  now  goes  on  to  recount  the  siege  of  Newbury 
(v.  399 — 714),  of  which  a  translation  is  given  below.  John 
Marshal,  father  of  William  Marshal,  who  plays  the  prin- 
cipal role  in  the  poem,  holding  the  castle  fqr  the  Empress, 
and  where  his  young  son,  William,  first  appears  as  a  hostage 
given  to  obtain  a  truce,  and  the  circumstances  surrounding 
this  event  are  given  with  graphic  and  vivacious  detail. 

The  History  of  Guillaume  le  Marechal. 

After  this  it  was  clear  truth  399 

that  the  king  besieged  Newbury 
with  a  great  host  and  many  mighty  men  ; 
but  this  was  so  suddenly, 
that  those  within  the  castle 

kept  no  guard  against  it  404 

until  they  saw  their  spearmen, 
their  archers  and  their  light-horse  ; 
and  all  the  host  who  came  down 

pitched  pavilions  and  tents.  408 

When  those  within  saw  them 
then  they  knew  well  they  were  taken  by  surprise. 
Much  did  the  surprise  distress  them 

for  they  had  little  provision.  412 

The  king  by  proper  message 
-enquired  of  the  constable 
whether  he  would  give  up  the  castle  ■ 

or  whether  he  would  defend  it.  416 

Upon  this  it  was  soon  resolved, 
"  We  are  not  so  caught 
"  that  we  will  not  defend  ourselves  well. 
"  We  have  no  wish  to  give  up  the  castle, 
"  since  we  are  determined  42 1 

"  that  there  shall  be  many  a  one  struck, 
"  many  stunned  and  many  wounded 
"  with  iron  either  of  glaive  or  sword  424 


88  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century, 

"  and  many  a  one  paid  in  sucli  a  way 

"  that  he  will  not  need  anything  but  a  coffin. 

The  king  hardened  himself  against  them. 
[By]  the  birth  of  God  he  swore  it  428 

"  Well  will  I  avenge  myself  on  the  villains, 
"  all  of  them  shall  pay  for  it  at  my  hands. 
"  Now  to  arms  good  esquire 

"  and  good  soldier  and  good  archer !  432 

"  We  will  take  them  spite  0'  their  teeth. 
"  Who  first  shall  enter  within 
"  I  will  give  him  so  much  goods 

"  he  shall  never  be  poor  in  his  life."  436 

Who  then  saw  these  esquires 
make  for  the  ditches  and  trenches 
to  attack  very  bravely  ! 

And  those  within  with  prowess  440 

and  with  great  fierceness  defend  themselves.: 
bolts  and  sharp  pikes  they  aim 
and  great  beams  to  fell  them  ; 
severely  they  make  them  pay  for 
the  attack  they  have  made  upon  them  ; 
if  they  can,  it  will  be  defeated. 
Many  a  one  one  sees  turn  back 

and  stagger  and  fall  448 

and  many  a  wounded  man  and  many  fallen  fainting. 
Those  of  the  castle  are 
not  to  blame  if  they  defend  themselves, 
for  they  expect  no  near  succour. 

Those  without  had  the  worst  (?).  453 

then  he  gave  up  the  assault, 
which  had  been  very  perilous. 

The  king  was  much  put  out  at  this  ,  456 

and  swore  it  should  be  otherwise, 
nor  would  he  ever  go  thence  . 
until  he  should  have  taken  the  tower 

and  done  justice  on  those  within.  460 

Those  of  the  castle  thought 
like  good  people, 
that  they  should  ask  a  truce 

and  in  the-interval  should  send  464 

to  their  lord  and  master 
all  [about]  their  affair  and  their  position. 

The  truce  they  requested,  and  had  it, 
and,  as  soon  as  they  could 

they  informed  their  lord  469 

that  they  had  no  truce  beyond  one  day 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  89 

and,  if  he  can,  that  he  should  deliver 

them  for  they  have  with  them  nothing  to  live  on.  472 

Le  Mar^chal  took  up  the  case  ;  • 

sent  his  letters  to  the  king, 

that,  if  he  pleased,  he  should  give  him 

truce  till  he  had  spoken  476 

to  his  lady  the  Empress. 

This  he  did  very  unwillingly 

by  plain  word  nor  by  agreement 

for  he  had  no  distrust  of  him  ; 

he  took  for  it  neither  pledge  nor  gage,  481 

but  if  they  would  give  him  hostages 

such  as  he  should  demand 

he  would  do  what  they  ask.  .  484 

Then  was  the  spit  cut 

that  so  was  the  matter  adjusted 

that  he  had  one  of  his  sons  in  hostage 

to  whom  should  happen  great  harm,  488 

not  the  first  son  but  the  next, 

William  of  whom  hereafter 

he  who  will  attend  to  it 

shall  hear  many  a  fine  adventure.  492 

This  was  done  in  such  manner 

that  the  siege  was  postponed, 

and  he  re-furnished  his  castle 

which  he  had  found  too  much  out  of  provisions 

and  put  in  good  knights 

and  good  soldiers  and  good  archers  ; 

and  well  they  think  to  defend  themselves  499 

because  they  have  no  wish  to  surrender 

the  castle,  nor  had  he  any  care  for  peace. 

The  child  was  in  danger  ; 

well  had  the  king  perceived 

that  he  had  been  deceived ;  504 

but  the  term  was  waited  for 

when  the  castle  ought  to  be  given  up 

to  him,  there  was  nothing  about  giving  up ; 

with  what  he  has  he  must  take  it. 

Then  came  forward  flatterers  509 

who  are  felons  and  rascals 

for  they  advise  to  hang  the  child. 

Well  was  the  father  informed  of  it,  512 

but  he  told  them  he  heeded  not 

the  child,  for  still  he  had 

the  anvils  and  the  hammers 

with  which  he  would  forge  finer  ;  516 


90  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

and  when  the  king  heard  this 

he  had  great  rage  and  anger  at  it. 

Then  he  commanded  to  take  the  boy 

and  lead  him  to  the  gallows  to  be  hung  ;  520 

towards  the  gallows  he  had  him  carried 

but  he  did  not  wish  to  carry  him  out 

without  going  himself  with  many  men  : 

he  much  doubted  an  ambush.  524 

And  the  child  whom  they  carried, 
who  suspected  nothing  of  his  death, 
saw  the  earl  of  Arundel 

bearing  a  very  handsome  lance  ;  528 

he  said  to  him  with  simplicity 
"  Sire  give  me  that  lance.'' 
When  the  king  heard  this  childish  speech, 
■  for  all  the  gold  which  is  in  France  532 

he  would  not  let  him  be  hung  that  day, 
but  with  simplicity  and  gentleness, 
of  which  his  heart  was  full, 

he  took  the  boy  in  his  arms  536 

and  said,  "  Of  this  pain  I  release  you 
"  certes  !  you  shall  not  die  of  it  to-day." 
Then  they  returned  back  to  the  army, 

and  men  were  winding  up  the  "  perriere  ^"  540 

to  throw  at  the  tower 
and  at  the  walls  around  it. 
Then  return  the  counsellors 

to  advise  and  counsel  the  king  544 

that  the  child  should  be  at  once  taken 
and  should  be  put  in  the  sling 
and  should  be  thrown  to  them  within 

to  frighten  those  within.  548 

The  boy  who  had  little  sense 
was  led  towards  the  "  perriere," 
saw  the  sling  of  the  "  perriere," 

drew  it  a  little  backwards  552 

and  said,  "  God  help  us !  what  a  swing ! 
"  it  is  very  right  that  I  should  swing  myself  in  it." 
He  had  approached  the 

sling,  and  the  king  said,  "  Away  I     Away!  556 

"  Certes  !  he  would  have  a  felon  heart 
"  who  could  suffer  in  any  way 
"  that  he  should  die  this  martyrdom, 
"  he  knows  too  well  how  to  say  pretty  560 

'  Machine  for  casting  stones. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  91 

"  childish  things.     Take  stones  and  "  perdrials  ^" 

"  throw  at  the  walls  and  at  the  battlements 

"  such  as  you  can  lift 

"  for  you  could  never  do  better  hurt." 

Those  were  managing  the  "perriere  ;"  565 

others  made  a  "  cleier'" 

to  make  an  attack  on  the  gate. 

A  rascal  brings  forward  the  child  ;  568 

he  calls  thus,  "  Lord  Constable 

"  this  is  your  own  doing  truly  ! 

"  See  here  the  boy  your  lord 

"  who  now  shall  die  in  great  pain  572 

"  for  now  he  shall  be  put  on  this  "  cleier." 

"  Have  you  before  warned  me  ?" 

cried  the  constable. "  Aye." 

"  By  my  head  !  then  he  shall  die."  576 

"  Such  a  squeeze  shall  he  have,  know  this, 
"  of  which  he  shall  be  soon  beaten  in 
"  like  a  drum. 

"  This  treachery  gains  you  nothing :  580 

"  now  you  shall  see  his  death  and  end." 

He  caused  a  great  mill  stone 
to  be  hung  from  the  battlements ; 

and  the  boy  asked  then  584 

what  plaything  this  could  now  be 
that  they  were  hanging  at  the  window. 
When  the  king  heard  him  say  this 

he  began.to  laugh  heartily  588 

and  said,  "  William,  such  playthings 
"  for  you  would  not  be  good  nor  fine. 
■  "  He  is  a  great  sinner  who  harms  you 
"  for  you  have  never  done  him  wrong,  592 

"  from  such  toys  I  quit  and  release  you, 
"  you  shall  never  die  by  me." 
The  king  remained  at  the  siege. 

One  day  he  sat  in  his  pavilion  596 

which  was  strewed  with  herbs 
and  flowers  of  different  colours. 
William  looked  at  the  flowers, 

looked  out  upon  hill  and  dale ;  600 

very  well  and  willingly 
he  went  gathering  the  "  soldiers  " 
which  grew  in  the  grass-land 
which  have  the  leaf  broad  and  pointed.  604 

?  Machine  for  throwing  stones.  "  Perhaps  a  ram. 


92  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

When  he  had  culled  enough  of  them 
and  put  them  together  in  his  hand 
he  said  to  the  king,  "  Dear  good  lord, 
will  you  play  at '  soldiers  ?' "  608 

"  Yes,"  said  he,  "  sweet  good  friend." 

Straightway  he  put  some  of 

them  before  the  king,  611 

then  said,  "  Which  shall  strike  first  ?" 

"  You,"  said  the  king,  "  dear  good  friend." 

Then  he  took  one  of  the  "  soldiers  " 

and  the  king  held  his  against  it, 

but  it  happened  in  the  encounter  616 

that  that  of  the  king  lost  its  head. 

William  made  great  joy  at  it. 

The  king  held  out  another. 

While  he  was  engaged  at  this  [game] 

he  happened  by  chance  to  see 

through  a  tent  cover 

a  page  whom  he  knew  well : 

he  was  of  his  mother's  chamber.  624 

He  was  come  to  spy,  to  listen, 

to  try  to  hear 

what  would  be  done  to  William ; 

they  much  doubted  his  punishment.  628 

William  was  delighted  at  this  • 

and  cries  out,  nor  heeds  who  may  hear, 

"  WelcomCj  friend  Willikin 

"  tell  me  who  has  sent  you  here  ?  632 

"  What  is  my  mother  doing  now  ? 

"  What  are  my  sisters  and  my  brother  doing  ?" 

This  noise  took  him  (the  page)  much  aback  ; 

through  a  narrow  passage  636 

he  fled  with  speed  and  soon 

hid  himself  behind  a  pillar. 

The  king  listened  and  heard 
how  William  was  delighted.  640 

Of  William  he  thereupon  demanded 
that  he  should  answer  his  question 
who  it  is  he  is  speaking  to ; 

well  has  he  heard  his  speech.  644 

He  said  to  him,  "  Make  him  tell  my 
"  father  (.?) ;  he  is  of  my  mother's  chamber 
"  who  looked  at  me  through  that  opening  " 

"  And  why  came  he  not  by  the  door" 

said  the  king ;  they  made  strict  search  649 

but  he  could  nowise  be  found. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  93 

These  child's  sayings  nor  these  events 
were  not  all  in  one  day  652 

nor  in  two  days  nor  in  three, 
but  lasted  more  than  two  months. 
Whilst  the  king  remained  at  his  siege 
the  bishop  Henry  of  Winchester 

hardily  interposed  for  peace,  656 

for  men  could  no  longer  endure 
the  very  cruel  war, 

by  which  the  land  was  torn  660 

and  the  people  dead  and  disturbed 
and  all  happiness  destroyed 
and  all  gain  turned  to  loss 
and  all  riches  to  poverty  : 
for  when  poor  people  can  get  nothing 
and  have  not  wherewith  to  pay  their  rents, 
it  forces  them  to  leave  the  land 

and  seek  their  bread  elsewhere ;  668 

then  the  lords  grow  poor 
so,  many  have  suffered, 
on  this  account  the  agreement  was  made 
and  reason  much  approves  it,  672 

that  each  should  hold  by  right 
what  possession  he  had, 
so  that  there  should  be  no  rancour 
between  them,  nor  any  disagreement 
nor  any  reproach  made 
for  any  thing  which  had  been  done. 

This  peace  and  this  parly 
was  because  of  the  taking  of  Lincoln 

where  the  king  was  taken  by  force.  680 

It  much  diminished  his  authority 
nor  left  him  [anything]  except  the  crown. 
And  [a]  king  who  does  not  stake  all 
nor  gains  nor  loses 
I  cannot  see  for  what  he  serves ; 
for  if  his  seal  does  not  run, 

all  his  power  dies  •  688 

except  only  insomuch  that  he  remains  king, 
but  his  laws  do  not  run. 

At  Shrewsbury  they  assembled 
this  parliament  from  which 
this  peace  was  to  arise. 
The  king  was  given  in  exchange 
for  the  Earl  of  Gloucester; 
so  were  his  powers  taken  from  him  :  696 


94  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

by  force  they  deprived  him  of  them, 

for  he  took  the  worse  exchange. 

And  so  was  this  peace  written 

and  the  hostages  were  released  700 

and  those  who  were  then  prisoners 

were  set  free. 

And  William  came  to  his  father ; 

great  joy  had  his  mother  at  it, 

and  the  three  brothers  and  the  sisters 

who  had  had  for  him  great  grief 

because  of  the  great  tortures  which  they  heard  of, 

which  the  people  often  told  them  of,  708 

from  which  God,  to  whom  be  great 

thanks,  has  saved  him  every  time  ; 

for  people  say  in  the  provei'b 

he  whom  the  Lord '  will  aid, 

neither  hatred  nor  torture 

nor  anything  can  hurt  him. 

In  short  time  and  in  a  few  years 
was  William  grown- up  and  tall, 
and  was  of  body  so  shapely 
that  if  he  had  been  carved  by  art 

there  might  not  be,  truly,  such  handsome  limbs,  719 

for  well  I  saw  them  and  well  I  remember  them, 
he  had  very  beautiful  feet  and  beautiful  hands, 
but  all  this  was  also  of  the 
hands  compared  with  the  make  of  the  body  : 
Who  looked  at  him  well  from  without,  724 

to  him  he  seemed  so  well  made  and  straight 
that,  if  he  were  to  judge  aright, 
he  could  decide  that  on  the  whole 
there  was  none  more  shapely  in  the  world. 
He  had  the  hair  brown  , 
and  the  eyes,  but  of  his  person 
he  seemed  a  great  enough  man 
to  be  emperor  of  Rome. 
He  had  the  chest  broad 
and  was  of  such  stature 
as  perhaps  no  [other]  gentle  man. 
Many  had  a  good  master  in  serving  him  (?). 

From  the  poem,  which  practically  stands  alone,  so  that 
its  accuracy  cannot  be  tested  by  reference  to  other  au- 
thorities, it  appears  that  the  siege  must  have  lasted  for 

"  Dominus  Deus. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  95 

more  than  two  months  (v.  64),  and  was  signalised  by 
many  notable  exploits,  of  which  the  following  is  a  short 
summary. 

The  King  summoned  the  Constable  (v.  414)  to  deliver 
up  the  castle,  which  he  refused  to  do ;  an  assault  was 
then  made  on  the  garrison  and  repulsed.  The  royalists 
thereupon  blockaded  the  town,  upon  which  the  defenders 
of  the  castle  requested  a  truce  to  consult  their  com- 
mander John  Marshal  (v.  473).  It  was  granted  for  one 
day  only,  but  an  extension  was  demanded  of  the  King,  in 
order  that  the  Marshal  might  communicate  with  the 
Empress.  Stephen  then  consents  on  the  condition  that 
one  of  the  sons  of  the  Marshal  is  surrendered'  as  an 
hostage.  They  therefore  send  the  Marshal's  second  son 
William,  to  whom  the  poem  chiefly  relates.  Henceforward 
the  interest  of  the  poem  is  centred  in  this  youth,  who 
becomes  the  hero  of  the  story. 

The  quarrel  between  Stephen  and  MatiHa,  and  the 
narrative  of  the  siege  of  the  castle  of  Newbury  being  but 
accessories  to  the  circumstances  surrounding  this  event, 
John  Marshal  having  yielded  his  son  to  Stephen,  hastens 
to  make  Newbury  a  strong  garrison,  and  when  the  time  of 
the  truce  expired  he  refused  to  deliver  up  the  place,  and  is 
represented  to  have  risked  the  life  of  his  son.  The  Mar- 
shal's words  on  refusing  to  surrender  can  be  read  in  the 
text  of  the  poem  (v.  513 — 516).  Stephen  decided  that 
the  boy  should  be  hung,  and  for  fear  that  some  one  might 
be  tempted  to  save  him,  he  accompanied  the  lad  to  the 
place  of  execution.  On  the  way  the  boy,  who  knew 
nothing  about  the  treatment  they  were  preparing  for  him, 
seeing  the  Earl  of  Arundel  hold  a  bright  javelin  in  his 
hand,  said  to  him,  "Sire,  give  me  that  javelin!"  The 
King,  touched  by  the  prattling  innocence  of  the  child,  had 
him  taken  back  to  the  camp.  But  sometime  after  the 
King  was  persuaded  to  have  the  child  thrown  from  a 
military  sling  for  throwing  stones,  when  the  boy's  childish 
innocence  again  saved  his  life.  "  God,"  says  he,  "  what  a 
beautiful  swing ;  it  is  just  my  size."  "  Take  him  away," 
says  the  King,  "one  would  have  a  heart  of  iron  to  see 


g6  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

such  a  child  perish"  (v.  560).  One  sees  that  Stephen  was 
sensible  to  the  graces  of  infancy.  Further  on  we  see  him 
again  to  still  better  advantage,  when  engaged  in  playing  a 
childish  game  aux  chevaliers  with  his  young  prisoner,  that 
is  to  say,  with  the  blooms  of  a  plant  which  grew  in  the 
open  land  around  the  castle,  and  is  described  as  having  a 
broad  and  pointed  leaf.  M.  Meyer  suggests  that  it  was 
perhaps  a  sort  of  rush  or  spear  grass,  glaceul,  but  more 
probably  the  common  plantain  {plantana  lanceolata),  with 
which  children  still  amuse  themselves  in  the  manner  de- 
scribed in  the  poem ;  and  the  gafne  is  called  "  playing 
at  soldiers"  to  this  day. 

The  poem  terminates  with  an  anachronism,  namely, 
that  during  the  siege  of  Newbury  the  Bishop  of  Win- 
chester, who  was  brother  to  Stephen,  succeeded  in  bringing 
about  a  cessation  of  hostilities.  If  he  was  the  agent  of 
the  peace  which  was  concluded  in  1153,  it  is  exactly  in 
accord  with  accepted  history ;  but  the  text  following 
{v.  679  et  seq.)  informs,  us  that  the  peace  took  place  in  con- 
sequence of  the  taking  of  Lincoln,  where  the  King  was 
made  prisoner  (v.  689 — 690)  in  1141.  Indeed  it  was  by 
the  treaty  of  peace  which  was  concluded  at  Shrewsbury 
(v.  691)  that  the  King  was  exchanged  for  the  Earl  of 
Gloucester,  and  young  William  Marshal,  the  hostage,  was 
returned  to  his  father  (v.  691).  In  short  the  author  has 
interfered  with  facts  in  placing  the  siege  of  Newbury  in 
1 1 5 2,  anterior  to  the  exchange  which  was  made  of  Stephen 
and  the  Earl  of  Gloucester  in  1141  ;  for  it  was  in  the 
month  of  September  this  year,  at  the  retreat  from  Win- 
chester, that  the  Earl  of  Gloucester  fell  into  the  hands  of 
Matilda,  wife  of  Stephen,  and  was  shortly  afterwards  ex- 
changed for  the  King.  It  is  very  possible  that  this 
exchange  was  the  result  of  an  interview  which  took  place 
at  Shrewsbury,  but  the  testimony  of  the  poem  on  this 
point  is  somewhat  vague.  Possibly,  M.  Meyer  suggests, 
the  author  having  a  knowledge  of  only  certain  events, 
without  their  chronological  order,  might  have  erred  in  not 
placing  them  en  rapport  one  with  the  other.  This  is  the 
more  probable  hypothesis.     Before,  however,  we  can  de- 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  97 

cide  with  any  certainty,  it  is  necessary  to  ascertain  ac- 
curately the  date  of  the  birth  of  William  Marshal,  who,  it 
is  evident  from  the  poem,  was  a  young  child  at  the  time 
of  the  siege  in  question.     We  can,  however,  form  some 
approximate  data  on  this  point,  from  the  circumstance 
that  in  1216  William  Marshal  excused  himself  from  active 
participation  in  State  affairs  on  the  plea  of  his  great  age, 
being  then  over  eighty  years  old ;  according  to  which  he 
must  have  been  born  before  11 36,  consequently  he  would 
have  been  about  sixteen  at  the  time  of  the  siege  of  New- 
bury, according  to  Henry  of  Huntingdon.     But  it  is  prob- 
able that  William  Marshal  did  not  know  his  exact  age ; 
he  certainly  was  the  second  son  of  a  marriage  which  could 
not  have  been  concluded  until  after  1 141  (v.  372 — 383)  ; 
because  it  must  be  remembered  that  his  father  married 
Sybil,  the  sister  of  Count  Patrick  (v.  375 — 377),  "in  the 
interests   of  peace."     He  was    born,    according   to   this, 
in  1 143,  or  perhaps  later,  and  could  then  have  been  of 
sufficient  age  to  have  acted  in  the  conditions  of  the  poem 
at  the  siege  of  Newbury  in  1152.     It  seems  evident  that 
the  author  has  unduly  connected  the  peace  of  1153  with 
the   circumstances   of  the  exchange   concluded  in  1141, 
which  is  a  reasonable  explanation. 

The  castle  of  Newbury  is  supposed  to  have  stood  on 
the  south  bank  of  the  river  Kennet,  near  the  present 
wharf,  on  a  spot  which  has  been  sufficiently  determined 
to  be  denoted  on  the  recent  Ordnance  Survey  of  the  town. 
The  evidence  upon  which  this  supposition  is  chiefly  based 
is  derived,  firstly,  from  tradition,  and  secondly,  from  the 
fact  that  in  the  year  1627  the  Corporation  of  Newbury,  as 
trustees  under  the  will  of  John  Kendrick,  a  wealthy  citizen 
of  London,  who  left  a  considerable  sum  for  the  purpose  of 
purchasing  a  workhouse  and  gardens,  and  creating  a  fund 
for  the  employment  of  the  poor,  acquired,  by  the  King's 
license  to  purchase  in  mortmain,  "  a  capital  messuage 
called  the  Castle  and  one  acre  of  meadow  ground  ad- 
joining'^."    When  the  Kennet  river  was  first  made  navig- 

^  That  part  of  the  ancient  buildings  of  "the  Castle"  were  remaining  in 
1626-7  is  shewn  by  an  entry  in  the  churchwardens'  accounts  of  this  date, 
when  some  of  the  old  materials  were  used  at  the  church. 

H 


98  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

able,  the  Corporation,  by  their  lease  dated  April  2,  1723, 
demised  to  Lord  Forbes,  and  nine  other  persons,  under- 
takers for  making  the  river  Kennet  navigable  from  Reading 
to  Newbury,  "all  that  capital  Messuage  called  the  Castle 
or  Hospital,  and  also  one  parcel  of  Meadovi^,  containing  by 
estimation  one  acre,  called  the  Hospital  Mead,  between  the 
River  Kennet  on  the  north  and  north-west,  and  the 
White-Hart  Inn  and  a  back  lane  on  the  south  and  south- 
east, and  Cooke's  land  on  the  south  and  south-east ;  and 
also  a  Messuage  and  Piece  of  Ground,  formerly  Meadow, 
and  then  a  Garden,  and  an  Island  planted  with  Osier 
Rods,  situate  in  Greenham,  abutting  on  the  north  side  of 
the  River  Kennet ;  and  also,  two  acres  of  Meadow  Ground, 
by  estimation,  in  Greenham  adjoining  [now  a  timber 
wharf  and  yard]  ;  and  also  such  part  of  the  River  Kennet 
as  the  undertakers  should  think  fit  to  make  dry  land 
abutting  upon  the  Hospital  Mead."  All  these  particulars 
of  situation  which  are  so  distinctly  defined  point  to  the 
wharf  "on  the  north  side  of  the  River  Kennet"  as  the 
situation  of  a  building,  or  its  remains,  called  "  the  Castle," 
in  the  year  1627;  and  further,  the  same  property  is  re- 
ferred to  in  a  Report  on  the  Charities  of  Newbury,  in  the 
early  part  of  the  present  century,  as  being  described  in 
ancient  documents  as  "the  Hospital,  or  Foregate  and  Castle, 
parcel  of  Queen  Elizabeth's  possessions,  in  right  of  the 
Crown  of  England  upon  the  dissolution  of  the  Hospital  in 
the  reign  of  Henry  the  Eighth."  Tho..  Hospital  referred  to 
was  probably  the  Hospital  or  Preceptory  of  the  Knights 
Hospitallers  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem  at  Greenham,  in 
which  parish  the  timber-wharf  and  yard  mentioned  in 
the  lease  are  situated.  But  whether  the  site  of  the  castle 
be  accurately  defined  or  not,  it  is  evident  that  a  building 
bearing  such  a  description  existed  near  the  Kennet,  in  the 
centre  of  the  town,  in  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth  cen- 
turies, and  its  supposed  situation  corresponds  with  what 
has  always  been  its  traditional  site.  As  to  this  reputed 
castle  being  the  remains  or  representative  of  the  fortress 
which  underwent  a  siege  in  King  Stephen's  reign  there  is 
no  direct  evidence,  of  course,  to  shew ;  but  it  adds  to  the 
interest  attached  to  the  recital  of  the  siege  to  which  we 


Newbury  in- the.  Twelfth  Century.  99 

have  alluded  to  feel  certain  that  the  castle  of  Newbury 
(commemorated  by  the  castle  with  the  three -domed 
towers,  still  borne  by  the  borough  of  Newbury  as  its  arms) 
was  no  fanciful  inventive  legend  or  shadowy  story,  but  a 
veritable  stronghold  of  considerable  importance,  which  for 
some  time  held  out  against  the  besieging  army  of  Ste- 
phen of  Blois. 

The  spot  where  this  castle  stood  must  have  had  a 
widely  diiiferent  look  at  the  time  wKen  the  warfare  be- 
tween Stephen  and  Matilda  was  going  on  from  that  which 
it  bears  in  our  own  day.  The  channel  of  the  old  river 
Kennet,  flowing  down  from  Hungerford  and  Kintbury 
towards  its  junction  with  the  Thames  at  Reading,  has 
been  partly  incorporated  with  the  Kennet  and  Avon 
Canal,  which  was  constructed  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last 
century,  and  the  depth  of  the  stream  has  consequently 
been  much  increased  where  it  passes  through  the  town. 
The  formation  of  the  wharf,  formerly  the  central  dep6t  of 
the  canal,  with  a  basin  or  wet  dock  on  or  near  the  space 
which  the  castle  is  supposed  toiave  occupied,  completely 
obliterated  all  traces  of  the  remnants  of  any  ancient 
buildings  which  might  have  furnished  indications  of  the 
Norman  fortress  so  inseparably  bound  up  with  the  early 
history  of  Newbury. 

King  Henry  II.  at  Newbury  in  1155. 

Late  in  the  year  1155  King  Henry  II.  must  have  passed 
through  Newbury  for  some  reason,  since  the  following 
Charter  is  attested  by  him  there  : — 

"  Henry  King  of  England,  Duke  of  Normandy  and  Aquitaine 
and  Earl  of  Anjou,  to  William  Bishop  of  Norwich  [1146 — 75]  to 
his  justices,  &c.  greeting  in  the  Lord.  Know  that  I  have  granted 
and  confirmed  to  Ralph  of  Hastings,  the  Queen's  Steward,  and 
to  his  heirs,  the  whole  of  the  land  which  belongs  to  Ralph  the 
•Steward  of  St.  Edmund's,  &c.,  &:c. 

"  Witness  Robert,  Earl  of  Leicester ;  Richard,  Earl  of  Corn- 
wall ;  William,  Earl  of  Gloucester ;  Richard  de  Lucy ;  Manasses 
Bisset;  Josceline  de  Bailliol;  and  Wido  de  Sanford." — From 
the  Register  of  Bury  St.  Edmund's,  quoted  in  the  notes  to 
Brakelond's  "Chronicle"  (Camden  Soc),  note,  p.  119. 

H  2 


100  Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century. 

Reign  of  Richard  I. 

Further,  an  inhabitant  of  Newbury  is  mentioned  in  the 
same  account  during  the  reign  of  Richard  I.  (1189-90), 
viz. : — 

"  Godwin  of  Newbury  renders  account  of  4^.  M.  which  he  had 
received  for  a  misericordia  <'.  He  had  only  paid  3J.  4d.  into  the 
treasury,  although  he  still  owed  is.  4^." 

Newbury  is  returned  in  the  Pipe  Roll  of  the  first  year 
of  this  reign  as  follows  : — 

"  The  Burgesses  of  Nmeberia  owe  Six  pounds,  eighteen  shil- 
lings, de  Dono." 

The  special  point  to  be  observed  is  that  of  19  entries 
relating  to  the  tallage  of  the  demesnes  and  lands  then  in 
the  King's  hands,  the  only  one  in  which  the  term  Bur- 
genses  occurs  is  Newbury,  the  others  are  simply  Homines, 
e.g.  Homines  de  Warengeford ;  Homines  de  Windsor; 
Homines  de  Ferendon  ;  Homines  de  Schriueham  ;  Homines 
de  Wanetinga. 

Grant  of  Land  to  the  Knights  Hospitallers. 

No  other  events  are  found  recorded  in  connection  with 
Newbury  at  this  period ;  but  it  may,  however,  be  men- 
tioned that  certain  property  in  the  town  was  confirmed  to 
the  Knights  Hospitallers  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem  at  the 
close  of  this  century. 

The  Knights  Hospitallers  had  a  Preceptory  in  the 
parish  of  Greenham,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  wharf  on  the 
Kennet  at  Newbury,  and  in  close  proximity  to  the  sup- 
posed site  of  the  castle "i.  In  the  "Testa  de  Nevill"  it 
is  stated  that  the  master  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  John  of 
Jerusalem  held  Greenham  in  demesne,  which  was  of  the 
fee  of  the  Earl  Ferrers,  and  given  in  marriage  to  Ralph 

'  Misericordia,  mercy,  a  mulct  at  discretion  :  to  be  at  the  King's  mercy  was 
to  lie  in  such  a  position  that  the  King  might  either  exercise  the  right  of  com- 
plete forfeiture  or  accept  a  fine  in  commutation. 

^  See  Notes  by  the  author  on  the  site  of  the  Castle  of  Newbury,  and  the 
Hospital  of  the  Knights  Hospitallers,  in  Trans.  Newbury  Dist.  Field  Club, 
vol.  ii.  pp.  252 — 254. 


Newbury  in  the  Twelfth  Century.  loi 

Paynell ;  and  his  son,  Gervase  Paynel,  gave  it  to  the  brethren 
of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem.  This  gift  of  the  viU  of  Green- 
ham  was  confirmed  by  Charter  of  King  John,  in  1199, 
with  other  estates  conferred  on  the  Hospitallers  by  dif- 
ferent benefactors,  and  the  manor  of  Greenham  was  given 
to  the  Preceptory  by  Matilda,  Countess  of  Clare. 

Like  other  religious  institutions  of  this  kind  the  Priory 
or  Preceptory  was  dissolved  at  the  Reformation,  and  the 
estates  held  by  the  Hospitallers  became  vested  in  the 
Crown. 

In  the  Ministers'  Accounts  31-32  Hen.  Vni.«  we  find 
■  the  following  account  returned  of  property  held  by  the 
Hospitallers  in  Newbury  : — 

For  Rents  of  Assize. — Wm.  Hyde,  6s.  Zd.  issuing  out  of 
certain  lands  called  Fysselles ;  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of 
Windsor,  6s.  %d.  out  of  certain  lands  called  Kylhyll,  and 
\2d.  out  of  one  shop  in  Chepe  Street;  Roger  Gunter, 
8j.  "jd.,  rent  of  certain  land  lying  in  Myrylhill  (St.  Mary's 
Hill)  ;  John  Bromold  (Prior  of  St.  Bartholomew's),  2d.  for 
a  rent  out  of  lands  called  Cattisbarne  ;  the  Churchwardens 
of  Newbury,  ^s.  6d.  for  a  free  rent  issuing  out  of  certain 
lands  formerly  belonging  to  Wormestall's  Chantry  in  New- 
bury Church ;  John  Tull,  ■^s.  for  the  rent  of  one  messuage 
and  two  acres  of  customary  land  lying  at  Meryhill  called 
Hodes,  late  in  the  tenure  of  John  Hodes,  and  afterwards 
in  the  tenure  of  Stephen  Feirley. 

The  remainder  of  the  property  described  is  in  Green- 
ham,  and  includes  the  manor  and  four  water-mills,  viz.  two 
corn-mills  and  two  fulling-mills.  The  manor  was  granted 
at  the  dissolution  of  the  Priory  to  Edward  Docura. 

The  Order  of  the  Hospitallers  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem, 
which  was  suppressed  in  England  in  1540,  was  restored  by 
Queen  Mary  in  1557,  when  the  Hospital  at  Greenham  was 
not  only  re-established  with  its  ancient  lands  at  Newbury 
but  endowed  with  others'.  Queen  Elizabeth,  on  her  ac- 
cession, upset  this  and  other  of  Mary's  grants,  and  the 
Order  was  again  suppressed. 

'  Ministers'  Accounts,  31-32  Hen.  VIII.  No.  114,  m.  3,  P.  R.  O. 
'  Pat.  Roll.  4  and  5,  2  Mary,  pt.  14. 


CHAPTER    VII. 


IRewburg  In  tbe  'C;birteentb  Century. 

The  Manorial  History. — The  Manor  of  Newbury  bestowed  by  King  John 
on  Robert  Fitz-Roger. — The  Countess  of  Perche  disseized  of  the  Manor. 
— The  Manor  of  Newbury  granted  to  Geoffrey  Fitz-Roy,  natural  son  of 
King- John. — The  Manor  of  Newbury  given  to  William,  Earl  of  Salis- 
bury, c.  1217. — Connection  of  the  Earl  Marshal  and  his  family  with 
Newbury. — Newbury  as  described  in  the  Hundred  Rolls,  circa  1265. — 
Rentals,  &c.,  in  Newbury  at  close  of  the  thirteenth  century. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — King  John  at  Newbury,  I204and 
1214. — Grant  of  a  Fair  at  Newbury  to  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  1219. 
— The  King's  dogs  at  Newbury. — Henry  III.  at  Newbury. — The  repair 
of  the  King's  hostelry. — William  de  Valence  and  other  nobles  engaged 
in  a  great  tournament  at  Newbury,  A.  D.  1 248. 

IMMEDIATELY  after  King  John  had  been  expelled 
by  Philip,  King  of  France,  from  the  possessions  which 
he  hel4  of  the  French  Crown  in  Normandy,  he  retaHated 
on  the  Norman  nobility  by  seizing  their  possessions  in 
England.  At  this  time  the  manor  of  Newbury,  with  the 
market  of  the  town,  was  the  property  of  Thomas,  Earl  of 
Perche,  a  Norman,  and  was  seized  by  the  King  and  con- 
fiscated. 

In  1204,  in  the  fifth  year  of  his  reign.  King  John  be- 
stowed the  Manor  of  Newbury  on  Robert  Fitz-Roger,  the 
son  of  Roger  Fitz-Richard,  a  grandson  of  Eustace  Fitz- 
John  (who  held  a  high  place  in  the  confidence  and  favour 
of  Henry  I.),  nephew  of  Serlo  de  Burgh,  who  with  his 
brother,  Pain  Fitz-John,  accompanied  the  Conqueror  on 
his  invasion  of  England.     The  Charter  is  as  follows  : — 

"  John,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  &c.  [king  of  England].  Know  that 
we  have  given  and  granted  by  this  present,  our  Charter,  to  our 
beloved  and  faithful  Robert  Fitzroger  and  his  heirs,  the  Manor 
of  Newebury  with  all  its  appurtenances,  to  have  and  to  hold  of  us 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  103 

and  our  heirs  in  Fee  and  Inheritance,  doing  therefore  the  service 
of  one  knight  for  all  service. 

"  We  have  given  and  granted  to  the  aforesaid  Robert  and  his 
heirs,  the  service  of  Robert  de  Trokelawe,  paying  therefore  to 
lis  and  our  heirs  annually  xl  shillings,  that  is  to  say,  xx  shillings 
at  Easter,  and  xx  shillings  at  Michaelmas  for  all  demands. 

"  Wherefore  we  will  and  firmly  order  that  the  aforesaid  Robert 
and  his  heirs  after  him  have  and  hold  the  aforesaid  Manor  and 
service  of  the  aforesaid  Robert  of  us  and  our  heirs,  well  and  in 
peace,  freely  and  quietly,  wholely,  fully,  and  honourably  as  is 
aforesaid,  in  all  places  and  things,  with  all  liberties  and  free 
customs  to  the  aforesaid  Manor  and  Tenement  of  the  aforesaid 
Robert,  pertaining.  Witness  H. "  of  Salisbury,  and  Philip  *■  of 
Durham,  Bishops.  Given  by  hand  of  S.  "=  of  Chichester,  Bishop 
Elect,  at  Porchester,  5th  day  of  May,  in  the  fifth  year  of  our 
reign ''." 

We  do  not  find  any  other  record  of  the  connection  of 
this  Robert  Fitz-Roger  with  Newbury.  King  John  granted 
him  a  charter  of  confirmation  of  his  inheritance  of  thfe 
castle  and  manor  of  Warkworth  in  Northumberland,  of 
which  county  he  held  the  shrievalty  from  3  to  14  John. 
He  founded  the  Priory  of  Langley  in  Norfolk  about  the 
end  of  the  reign  of  Richard  I.,  and  dying  in  14  John,  12 12- 
13,  left  by  his  widow,  Margaret,  daughter  of  William  de 
Chesney,  and  widow  of  Hugh  de  Cressi,  a  son  John,  John 
Fitz-Robert,  who  was  one  of  the. twenty-five  to  whom  was 
entrusted  the  enforcement  of  Magna  Charta.  After  three 
generations  the  family  assumed  the  name,  of  Clavering, 
from  a  manor  so  called  in  Essex  which  belonged  to  this 
Robert.  John  de  Clavering,  who  was  summoned  to  Par- 
liament by  the  first  three  Edwards,  died  in  1332,  leaving 
only  female  issue. 

We  next  find  certain  particulars  entered  on  the  Close 
Rolls  by  which  Simon  de  Pateshull,  the  Escheator  to  whom 
the  lands  of  the    Count   of  Perche  were  consigned,  was 

^  Herbert  Poore,  called  by  Godwin  Robert  Poore.  Elected  April  29,  1194, 
ob.  Feb.  6,  1 21 7. 

^  Philip  of  Poictiers.     Elected  Nov.,  119S,  ol^-  Sept.  21,  1208. 
■^  Simon  de  Welles.     Obtained  this  See  July,  1204,  ob.  1207. 
•^  Cart.  Antiq.  Z.  No.  2,  Pub.  Rec.  Off. 


104  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

directed  to  give  the  Canons  of  Sandleford  13  marks  rent 
from  the  Mill  bf  Newbury,  of  which  the  King  disseized  the 
Countess  of  Perche,  widow  of  Geoffrey  IV.,  on  the  sever- 
ance of  all  English  and  Norman  fealties,  and  the  lands 
themselves  to  Geoffrey  Fitz-Roy,  the  natural  son  of  King 
John  :— 

"  1204,  23  July.  The  King,  &c.,  to  Simon  de  Pateshill  greet- 
ing. The  Canons  of  Sandelford  are  to  have  13  marks  rent  in  the 
mill  of  Neubiri  (Neubir'),  which  they  had  of  the  gift  of  the  Count 
of  Perche,  as  they  had  before  the  King  disseized  the  Countess  of 
Perche.  The  said  Canons  to  have  the  same  rent  during  our 
pleasure  (<juamdiu  nobis  placuerif). 

"Witness  the  Earl  of  Salisbury  at  Lutesgaresh[ale]  (Ludger- 
shall)  23  July  [1204*]. 

"  1204,  24  July.  Simon  de  Pateshill  is  ordered  to  give  seizin 
to  Geoffrey  f,  the  King's  son,  of  the  land  which  was  of  the  Count 
of  Perche,  and  is  now  in  his  (Simon's)  custody,  but  to  retain  for 
the  King  the  manor  of  Scrievham  (Shrivenham).  Witness  Peter 
de  Stokes  at  "  Hackesbir' "  (?  Heytesbuiy)  24  July  [1204  s]." 

The  manor  of  Newbury  appears  to  have  been  regranted 
by  King  John  to  Thomas,  Earl  of  Perche,  a  Marshal  of 
France,  and  son  of  Geoffrey  IV.,  founder  of  Sandleford 
Priory.  He  fell  at  the  battle  of  Lincoln,  May  ig,  1217, 
where  he  led  the  French  army  against  the  forces  of  the 
young  King  Henry  III.,  under  William  Marshal,  Earl  of 
Pembroke. 

Upon  the  death  of  Thomas,  Earl  of  Perche,  the  lands 
which  he  had  held  were  forfeited  to  the  Crown.  The 
manor  of  Newbury  was  then  seized  into  the  King's  hands 
as  an  Escheat,  and  conferred  shortly  afterwards  on  the 
King's  uncle,  William  Longespe,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  as  is 
shewn  by  the  Close  Roll : — 

"  1 2 1 7,  21  June.  ■  The  King  orders  the  Sheriff  of  Berkshire  to 
give  seizin  to  the  King's  uncle,  W.,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  of  the  manor 
of  Neuburi  (Neubur'),  as  Geoffrey,  Count  of  Perche,  had  at  the 

'  Rotuli  Litteramm  Clausarum,  Hardy's  ed.,  vol.  i.  p.  3. 
'  Geoffrey  Fitz-Roy,  the  natural  son  of  King  John,  was  sent  by  his  father 
with  the  expedition  to  Rochelle,  and  died  there. 
E  Rotuli  Litterarum  Clausarum,  p.  3. 


Newbmy  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  105 

time   of  his   death.      Witness   the   Earl   at  Stanwell,  21    June 
[1217"]." 

William  Longespe,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  was  the  son  of 
King  Henry  II.,  by  the  fair  Rosamond  Clifford,  whose 
romantic  story  is  familiar  to  all.  His  wife  was  Ela  of 
Salisbury,  the  Foundress  of  Lacock  Abbey;  and  imme- 
diately upon  his  marriage,  or  at  least  very  soon  after, 
William  Longespe  entered  upon  Ela's  hereditary  ofifice  of 
the  shrievalty  of  Wiltshire.  He  played,  as  is  known  to 
all  readers,  an  important  part  during  the  reign  of  King 
John  and  the  early  part  of  that  of  Henry  HI.  He  died 
on  the  7th  of  March,  1226,  and  was  buried  in  the  chapel 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin  in  the  cathedral  church  of  Salis- 
bury, of  which  he  was  one  of  the  pious  and  munificent 
founders. 

It  would  appear  that  William,  Bishop  of  Chalons-sur- 
Marne,  who  succeeded  his  nephew  Thomas,  Count  of 
Perche,  slain  at  the  battle  of  Lincoln  in  12 17,  came  into 
England  and  claimed  the  manor  of  Newbury  as  his  next 
heir ;  whereupon  the  Bishop  sold  his  interest  in  this  and 
the  other  Berkshire  estates  of  the  deceased  Count  to 
William  Marshal,  the  younger,  son  of  the  Protector  Mar- 
shal, who 'succeeded  his  father  as  second  Earl  of  Pembroke 
in  1219,  and  to  whom  the  manor  of  Newbury  was  con- 
firmed in  1220.  That  he  acquired  an  interest  in  the 
manor  about  this  time  seems  pretty  clear  from  the 
following  extract  from  the  Close  Roll  in  1221,  or  five 
years  before  the  death  of  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  who 
probably  surrendered  the  manor  on  the  arrangement  of 
the  claims  of  the  Bishop  of  Chalons,  brother  to  Thomas, 
Earl  of  Perche. 

"122 1,  24  July.  The  King  writes  to  his  Constable  of  Marl- 
borough on  behalf  of  Vital  de  Lindes[ey],  who  is  to  have  three 
shillings  rent  of  land  in  Neubiri  [Neubir']  given  to  him  by  King 
Henry  [2nd]  grandfather  of  the  now  King,  (but  the  corn  sown  in 
the  said  land  to  be  saved  to  those  who  had  sown  it,  and  taken 

•■  Rotuli  Litterarum  Clausarum,  Hardy's  ed.,  vol.  i.  p.  311  b. 


io6  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

by  William   Marshal,    Earl   of  Pembroke).      Witness  H.,  &c. 
[Hubert  de  Burgh]  at  Westminster,  24  July  [1221 ']." 

The  family  of  William  Marshal  derived  their  name  from 
their  office  of  Marshal  of  the  King's  House,  held  in  grand 
serjeanty  by  the  tenure  of  the  manor  of  Hampstead-Mar- 
shal,  a  few  miles  from  Newbury,  which  was  granted  by 
Henry  I.  to  Gilbert  de  Clare,  Earl  of  Pembroke.  He  was 
succeeded  in  his  ofiSce  and  his  large  inheritance  by  his  son 
Richard,  surnamed  Strongbow,  the  conqueror  of  Ireland, 
whose  only  daughter  Isabel  married  William  Marshal  in 
1 189,  and  thus  acquired  the  title  of  Earl  of  Pembroke  and 
the  office  of  Marshal  of  England. 

This  William  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  the  Great  Pro- 
tector, holds  a  prominent  place  in  the  history  of  the  period 
in  which  he  lived.  Having  rescued  England  from  the 
danger  of  a  foreign  yoke,  and  having  established  tran- 
quillity throughout  the  kingdom,  and  secured  the  young 
King  Henry  in  undisputed  possession  of  the  throne,  he 
died  at  Caversham,  near  Reading,  in  the  month  of  May, 
1219,  leaving  behind  him,  says  Matthew  Paris,  a  reputation 
such  as  few  could  compare  with  "^  His  corpse  was  in  the 
first  instance  removed  to  Reading  Abbey,  where  it  was 
received  by  the  monks  in  solemn  procession.  It  was 
placed  in  the  choir  of  the  church,  and  high  mass  was  cele- 
brated with  vast  pomp.  On  the  following  day  it  was  con- 
veyed to  Westminster  Abbey,  where  high  mass  was  again 
performed  ;  and  thence  it  was  borne  in  state  to  the  Church 
of  the  Templars,  where  it  was  solemnly  interred  on  the 
Day  of  the  Ascension  (1219). 

The  martial  t^gy  of  this  brave  and  loyal  knight — 
the  hero  of  the  poem  on  the  siege  of  the  Castle  of  New- 
bury, clad  in  chain  mail,  still  remains  in  the  Temple 
Church,  and  has  often  been  figured  in  works  of  monu- 
mental sculpture.  William  Marshal  left  ten  children,  five 
sons  and  five  daughters.     Each  of  the  sons  in  turn  were 

'  Rotuli  Litterarum  Clausanim,  466. 

'  Shakespeare,  in  his  play  of  King  John,  it  may  be  remarked,  represents 
■William  Marshal  as  the  eloquent  intercessor  in  behalf  of  Prince  Arthur. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  107 

Earls  of  Pembroke  and  Marshals  of  England,  and  all  died 
without  issue,  when  the  male  line  of  this  noble  family  be- 
came extinct,  and  their  vast  estates,  as  we  shall  presently 
notice,  were  divided  amongst  their  five  sisters. 

William  Marshal  the  younger  succeeded,  on  the  death 
of  his  father,  to  the  office  of  Marshal,  earldom,  and  estates, 
including  Newbury.  On  the  death  of  King  John,  the 
Protector  brought  him  over  to  the  cause  of  the  young 
King  Henry,  the  rightful  heir  to  the  throne,  whom  he 
served  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  He  was  a  gallant, sol- 
dier, and  greatly  distinguished  himself  in  a  campaign 
in  Wales.  He  overthrew  the  Welsh  Prince  Llewellyn 
in  battle,  with  the  estimated  loss  of  nine  thousand  men, 
slain  or  taken  prisoners ;  and  laid  waste  the  dominions 
of  Llewellyn  with  fire  and  sword.  For  these  services 
he  was  made  governor  of  the  castles  of  Cardigan  and 
Carmarthen,  and  received  various  marks  of  royal  fa- 
vour. In  the  fourteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  Henry  HL 
he  was  made  Captain-General  of  the  King's  forces  in 
Brittany,  and  whilst  absent  in  that  country  a  war  broke 
out  in  Ireland,  whereupon  he  was  sent  to  that  kingdom 
with  a  considerable  army  to  restore  tranquillity.  He  had 
no  issue  by  his  first  wife,  Alicia,  daughter  of  Baldwin  de 
Bethune,.  Comte  of  Aumale  and  Lord  of  Holdernesse  in 
right  of  his  wife,  in  the  lifetime  of  his  father ;  and  in  the 
lotli  Henry  III.  (1225-6)  he  married  the  Princess  Eleanor, 
the  daughter  of  King  John  by  the  beautiful  Isabella  of 
AngoulSme,  and  he  was  consequently  the  brother-in-law 
of  the  young  King  Henry  III.  He  died  without  issue 
in  1231  (15  Hen.  III.),  and  on  the  15th  of  April  he  was 
buried  in  the  Temple  Church  at  London,  by  the  side  of 
his  father.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  King  Henry  III., 
and  Matthew  Paris  tells  us  that  when  the  King  saw 
the  dead  body  covered  with  the  funeral  pall  he  was  over- 
whelmed with  sorrow  and  affection,  and  looked  upon 
his  loss  as  an  additional  punishment  for  the  blood  of 
Thomas  a  Becket.  He  had  but  lately,  in  perfect  health, 
attended  the  marriage  of  his  sister  Isabella,  Countess  of 
Gloucester,  who   died  in   childbirth,    1240,   to  his   friend 


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Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  1 1 1 

One  of  the  most  frequent  sources  of  litigation  in  medi- 
aeval times  was  the  question  of  common  of  pasture,  or  the 
right  of  putting  cattle  to  pasture  on  another  man's  soil,  or  in 
waste  grounds  usually  called  Commons,  where  the  property 
of  the  soil  is  usually  in  the  lord  of  the  manor ;  as  in 
common  fields  it  is  in  the  particular  tenants.  We  have 
the  following  instance  of  this  ,kind  of  dispute  at  Newbury, 
in  9  Henry  III.,  1225,  when  certain  inhabitants  of  the  town 
being  dispossessed  of  the  right  of  depasturing  cattle  in  the 
common  fields  by  the  chief  lord,  William  Marshal,  Earl  of 
Pembroke,  Earl  Marshal  sought  a  remedy  by  Assize  of 
Novel  Disseizin,  so  called  because  the  justices  in  eyre  went 
their  circuit  from  seven  years  to  seven  years,  and  no  assize 
was  allowed  before  them  which  commenced  previous  to 
the  last  circuit,  which  was  called  an  ancient  assize ;  and 
that  which  was  upon  a  disseizin  since  the  last  circuit  an 
assize  of  novel  disseizin. 

"  Berks. — A  mandate  is  sent  to  Martin  de  Pateshull  and  his 
colleagues,  justices,  &c.,  in  the  County  of  Berks,  to  postpone  the 
assize  of  novel  disseizin  of  a  common  of  pasture  in  Newbury, 
which  Nigel  Gaudyn  and  others  have  arraigned  against  the  Earl 
Marshal,  who  cannot  be  present  at  the  taking  of  the  said  assize, 
being  prevented  by  the  King's  business,  until  their  return  to  the 
said  county ;  and  they  are  to  inform  the  said  Marshal  of  the  day 
of  their  return  that  he  may  then  be  present  at  the  taking  of  the 
said  assize. 

"Witness  the  King  at  Winchester  11  day  of  July,  [1225]""." 

Martin  de  Pateshull,  the  justiciary,  very  soon  after  the  ' 
accession  of  Henry  HI.,  was  raised  to  the  Bench,  for  his 
name  appears  in  121733  a  justice  itinerant  in  York,  North- 
umberland, and  other  counties. 

lYi  1224  he  was  one  of  the  justices  itinerant  at  Dun- 
stable, whom  Faukes  de  Breaute  endeavoured  to  capture, 
but  he  was  fortunate  enough  to  escape.  The  Fourth 
Report  of  the  Public  Records  {App.  ii.  161)  gives  an 
amusing  testimony  to  his  activity  in  performing  his  legal 

'"  Close  Roll,  9  Hen.  III.,  1225,  m.  9. 


112  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

functions.  In  a  letter  to  the  authorities,  a  brother  jus- 
ticiar, appointed  to  go  the  York  Circuit  with  him,  prays 
to  be  excused  from  the  duty,  "for,"  says  he,  "the  said 
Martin  is  strong,  and  in  his  labour  so  sedulous  and  prac- 
tised that  all  his  fellows,  especially  W.  de  Ralegh  and  the 
writer''  (whose  name  does  not  appear),  "  are  overpowered 
by  the  labour  of  Pateshull,  who  works  every  day  from 
sunrise  until  night.''  The  writer,  therefore,  prays  to  be 
eased  of  his  office,  and  allowed  to  go  quietly  to  his  church 
in  the  county  of  York,  to  which  he  had  been  lately  pre- 
sented. Martin  de  Pateshull  was  appointed  Archdeacon 
of  Norfolk  in  1226,  and  two  years  later  he  was  raised  to 
the  Deanery  of  St.  Paul's,  London,  of  which  he  had  pre- 
viously been  a  Canon  ;  but  he  did  not  long  enjoy  his  dig- 
nity, as  he  died  on  November  14,  1229  ^ 

On  the  death  of  William  Marshal,  the  younger.  Earl  of 
Pembroke,  in  123 1,  the  Sheriff  of  Berks  was  ordered  to 
give  seisin  of  the  manor  of  Newbury  to  his  widow  Eleanor, 
Countess  of  Pembroke  and  Leicester,  the  King's  sister. 
The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  part  of  the  Roll  re- 
lating to  the  Manor  of  Newbury : — 

"  1 23 1,  22  June.     Aleanir  (the  King's  sister),  Countess  of 

Pembroke. 
"  The  Sheriff  of  Berkshire  is  ordered  to  give  seizin  to  Alienor, 
sister  of  the  King,  of  the  manor  of  Neubiri  {JVeubif'),  which  was 
late  of  the  Count  of  Perch,  and  which  the  King  gave  by  charter 
to  William  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke.  Dated  at  Windsor, 
22  June"." 

The  Princess  Eleanor,  in  the  first  anguish  of  her  grief, 
had  publicly  taken  a  vow  of  perpetual  widowhood,  in  the 
presence  of  two  eminent  prelates,  both  afterwards  canon- 
ized, the  Archbishop  Edmund,  and  Richard,  Bishop  of 
Chichester.  To  this  solemn  resolution  she  held  true  for 
more  than  six  years,  when  she  married  Simon  de  Mont- 
fort,  and  in  consequence  of  this  marriage  she  became 
connected  with  the  manor  of  Newbury. 

°'  See  Foss's  "Judges  of  England,"  p.  504. 
»  Close  Roll,  15  Hen.  III.  m.  9. 


Neivbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  113 

On  January  7,  1238,  this  memorable  marriage  took  place 
at  the  altar  of  St.  Stephen's  Chapel.  The  King  himself 
gave  away  the  bride,  but  a  simple  chaplain  read  the 
marriage  office,  and  the  privacy  was  complete.  The  storm 
which  followed  its  disclosure  certainly  justified  the  pre- 
caution. That  the  hand  of  a  daughter  of  England  should 
be  given  away  in  secret,  and  without  the  approval  of  the 
barons,  was  an  outrage'  almost  as  great  to  the  feeling  of 
that  day  as  if  the  Great  Charter  had  been  burnt  by  the 
common  hangman.  The  whole  order  rose  as  one 
man.  Richard,  Earl  of  Cornwall,  the  King's  brother, 
armed  his  retainers,  and  threatened,  it  would  seem,  to 
seize  the  Cinque  Ports.  Everything  portended  a  civil 
war,  and  the  consequences  might  have  been  disastrous 
had  not  Montfort  cast  himself  at  the  feet  of  Richard,  and 
allayed  the  extremity  of  his  anger. 

It  does  not  appear  that  the  Countess  had  actually  taken 

the  veil,  but  the  vow,  whatever  it  may  have  been,  was  such 

as  to  teise  the  gravest  doubts  as  to  the  validity  of  the 

second  marriage  ;  the  doubts  at  least  were  discovered  to  be 

such  as  no  English  court  could  solve,  and  a  reference  to 

Rome  became  indispensable  :  if  indeed  the  misgivings  of 

the  Dominicans  were  not  well  founded,  that  it  was  beyond 

the  power  of  Rome  herself  to  efface  a  vow  which  had 

been,    as    it    were,    registered    in    heaven.      Disgraced    at 

court,    yet    envied    and    unpopular,    Simon    crossed    the 

Channel  for  Rome,  and   on   his  way  paid   a  visit  to  his 

Imperial  brother-in-law,  Frederick  II.,  who  had  married 

Isabella,  sister  of  Henry  III.      Frederick  was  then  fresh 

from  Cortenuova,  and  marching  in  the  full  tide  of  victory 

through  the  cities  of  Lombardy.     The  chroniclers  inform 

us  that  Simon  drew  his  sword  for  the  Emperor,  and  won 

his    support,  then    powerful   with   the    reluctant  court   of 

Rome.     Gregory,  at  once  bribed  and  pressed,  ratified  the 

marriage,  and   in  October   Simon  returned  to  England, 

crowned  with  success,  to  find  that  his  wife  was  about  to 

give  birth  to  a  son  "  to  the  strength  and  comfort  of  the 

realm." 

In   Testa   de   Nevill,    1236 — 1246,   which   contains    an 

I 


1 14  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

account  of  fees  held  either  immediately  of  the  King,  or 
of  others  who  held  of  the  King  in  capite,  &.C.,  we  find  the 
following  entries  relating  to  Newbury  : — 

"  Simon  de  Montfort  and  Alienor  his  wife  hold  Neubiri  in  dower 
of  the  inheritance  of  Walter  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke.  It 
does  no  scutage  and  was  of  the  fee  of  the  Count  de  la  PercheP. 
Carucage  assessed  5  Hen.  III.  on  lands." 

Hundred  of  Rugheburghe. 

"  Of  Neubiri  for  six  carucates  12  shilhngsi." 

Walter  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  died  in  1245,  and  on 
the  partition  of  his  estates  in  April,  1249,  the  revenue  from 
the  manor  of  Newbury  it  would  appear,  from  the  following 
Inquisition  and  Extent,  was  divided  in  moieties  between 
Roger  Bigot,  Earl  of  Norfolk,  who  married  Matilda,  the 
eldest  daughter  of  William  Marshal,  the  elder.  Earl  of 
Pembroke  ;  the  heirs  of  William  de  Ferrers,  Earl  of  Derby, 
who  by  his  first  wife,  Sibil  or  Sybilla,  had  seven  daughters, 
viz.  : — 

1 .  Agnes,  mar.  to  Wm.  de  Vescy ; 

2.  Isabel,  mar.   ist  to  Gilbert  Basset;  2ndly  to  Reginald  de 

Mohun  :  (de  Monteminori,  Moyon  in  Normandy,  a  com- 
mune of  the  canton  of  Tessy,  arrondissement  of  St.  Lo, 
and  department  of  La  Manche). 

3.  Matilda,  mar.  ist  to  Wm.  de  Kyme,  zndly  to  Wm.  de  Vivo- 

nia ;  3rdly  to  Emerick  or  Almeric  de  Rochechouart 
(de  Rupe-Cavardi) ; 

4.  Sibilla,  mar.  to  Francis  de  Bohun  of  Midhurst ; 

5.  Joan,  mar.  ist  to  William  Aiguillon,  and  zndly  to  John  de 

Mohun,  of  Dunster  ; 

6.  Agatha,  mar.  to  Hugh  de  Mortimer  of  Chelmarsh ; 

7.  Eleanor,  mar.   ist  to  Wm.  de  Valhbus;  2ndly  to  Roger  de 

Quincy,  Earl  of  Winchester  ;  3rdly  to  Roger  de  Leyburne, 

and  the  heirs  of  William  de  Braose,  who  married  Eve,  or 
Eva,  youngest  daughter  of  William  Marshal,  the  elder,  by 
whom  he  left  issue  four  daughters,  viz. : — 

I.  Isabel,  mar.  ist  to  David,  son  of  Llewellyn,  Prince  of  Wales ; 
2ndly  to  Peter  Fitz-Herbert ; 

»  Testa  de  Nevill,  p.  125.  1  Ibid,,  p.  132. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  1 1 5 

2.  Matilda,  wife  of  Roger  Lord  Mortimer  of  Wigmore  ; 

3.  Eva,  wife  of  William  de  Cantilupe ; 

4.  Eleanor,  wife  of  Humphey  de  Bohun. 

Berks  and  Oxon. 
"The  King's  (Henry  III.)  writ  to  the  Sheriff,  dated  28th 
November,  in  33rd  year  (1248),  for  an  Inquisition'  to  be  taken 
concerning  lands  and  tenements,  &c.,  which  Simon  de  Montfort, 
Earl  of  Leicester,  and  Alianor  his  wife  held  of  the  lands  of 
Walter  [William]  fMarshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  formerly  husband 
of  the  said  Alianor.'' 

The  follovi'ing  April  (1249)  an  Extent  was  made  of  the 
lands  and  knights'  fees  which  Simon  de  Montfort  held  of 
the  lands  of  Walter  Marshal,  in  the  county  of  Berks,  which 
contains  these  particulars  : — 

"  The  town  of  Newebire  (Newebir')_  is  worth  per  ann.  to  the 
use  of  Simon  de  Montfort  as  in  rent  of  mill  and  other  issues  £fio. 
There  is  nothing  there  in  demesne.  Also  Spenhamlonde  is  worth 
per  ann.  £,\l.  Also  Wodesponn'  (below  'Wudespen')  is  worth 
per  ann.  37^.  'j\d. 

"  The  said  Simon  holds  no  other  of  the  lands  which  were  of 
W.  Marshal  in  County  of  Berks." 

At  the  quinzaine  of  Easter  (Easter  Day  was  4  April  in 
1249),  33  Hen.  III.,  a  partition  =  was  made  at  Westminster 
between  the  heirs  of  Walter  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 
of  lands  and  knights'  fees,  as  under  : — 
Share  of  Sir 


Roger  le 
Bygod, 
Earl  Mar- 
shal. 


(Beside  manors  in  counties  of  Hertford, 
Bedford,  and  Kent.) 
In  the  manor  of  Newbir',  io6j-.  2d.,  land  and  rent. 

Total  ;^99  17^.  sd. 


Share  of  Sir\  (Beside  manors  in  counties  of  Wilts  and 

Richard  de 
Clare,  Earl 
ofGlouces- 
ter  and 
Hertford.   , 


Gloucester.) 

•In  the  manor  of  Speen-]   ^      ^     oj  t     j      j 

,^.   ,     ,  ^  X12  6^.  8(/.  land  and  rent. 
hamlaundnearNiwber ,  J 

Total  ;^99  17^.  ^d. 


'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  40  Edw.  III.,  No.  53. 
Close  Roll,  15  Hen.  III.,  m.  10;  Dugdale,  Baronage,  i.  p.  603. 

I  2 


Ii6  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

(Here  follows  share  of  Wm.  de  Valence  and  Joan  his  wife  in  co. 
Kent,  and  at  Newbury,  amounting  together  to  ^^99  17J.  srfi) 

Share  of  the  i'  (Beside  a  manor  in  co.  Hertford.) 

heirs       of^  In  themanor  of  Newbir'  £,\i,  %s.  \\d.  in  land  and  rent. 
Ferrers.      I  Total  ;^99  i^s.  sd. 


Share  of 
the  heirs  ■ 
of  Braose, 


^Beside  the  manor  of  Crandon  in  Bucks.) 
In  the  manor  of  Newbir'  ;^4o  5s.  g^d.  "j 
InthemanorofSpeenhamlaundS3J-.  8d.  Viand  and  rent. 
In  the  manor  of  Wudespene37f.  J^d.) 


From  this  time  till  his  death  on  the  fatal  field  of  Eve- 
sham, August  4,  1265,  the  personal  career  of  Montfort  be- 
comes interwoven  with  the  general  history  of  the  country. 
His  countrymen  awarded  him  honours  not  of  a  statesman, 
but  of  a  saint  and  martyr.  There  are  extant  forms  of  prayer 
which  were  said  in  his  honour,  and  the  story  of  miracles 
which  he  was  believed  to  have  wrought ;  and  among  these 
it  is  recorded  that  a  woman  of  Newbury  named  Matilda 
Farou  (transcribed  as  "  Farun  "  in  tlie  printed  Chronicle) 
was  cured  of  an  almost  fatal  dropsy  by  a  fillet  which  had 
been  measured  round  his  corpse — "a  miracle,"  it  is  added, 
"  that  can  be  attested  by  all  her  neighbours  at  Newbury  '." 
The  surname  of  "  Farou,"  or,  as  now  spelt,  "  Farrow,"  one 
of  the  oldest  names  which  we  have  found,  has  continued 
its  connection  with  Newbury  to  modern  times.  We  shall 
have  occasion  to  refer  to  this  name  in  another  place. 

In  1252,  Roger  Mortimer  and  Maud  his  wife,  William^ 
de  Cantilupe  and  Eve  his  wife,  Humfrey  de  Bohun  and 
Alienor  his  wife,  agreed  to  a  partition  of  a  knight's  fee 
which  was  held  by  them  as  co-parceners  of  the  inheritance 
of  Walter  Marshal,  formerly  Earl  of  Pembroke  °. 

It  is  worthy  of  notice  that  in  all  the  proceedings  relating 
to  the  partition,  the  inheritance  is  said  to  have  devolved 
on  the  co-heirs  on  the  decease,  without  issue,  of  Walter,  and 
not  of  Anselm,  Marshal.  There  is  no  mistake  in  this ;  and 
the  explanation  is  curiously  enough  to  be  found  in  an  Act 

'  Rishanger's  Chronicles,  Camden  Soc.,  p.  152. 
"  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  36  Hen.  III.,  No.  74. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  1 1 7 

of  Parliament  of  a  subsequent  reign,  the  statute  De  prero- 
gativa  Regis  17  Edw.  II.,  c.  13,  in  which  the  case  is  cited 
to  point  the  moral  of  the  duty,  incumbent  on  the  King's 
tenants  in  capite  of  doing  homage  for  their  lands,  in  default 
of  which  their  title  was  not  complete,  "  as  happened,"  says 
the  statute,  "  in  the  case  of  Matilda,  the  daughter  of  the 
Earl  of  Hereford,  wife  of  Anselm  Marshal,  who,  after  the 
death  of  William  [it  should  have  been  Walter],  Earl  Mar- 
shal of  England,  his  brother,  received  seizin  of  the  castle 
and  manor  of  Strigill,  and  died  in  the  same  castle,  before 
entering  with  the  King's  authority  and  doing  homage  ;  and 
it  was  therefore  held  that  she  was  not  entitled  to  dower, 
because  her  husband  did  not  enter  by  the  King's  authority 
but  by  intrusion  V 

William  de  Valence  (Valence,  chef  lieu  of  the  Departe- 
ment  de  la  Drome),  whose  name  appears  in  the  partition 
of  the  estates  of  Walter  Marshal,  was  the  third  son  of 
Hugh  le  Brun,  Count  de  la  Marche,  by  Isabella,  widow  of 
King  John,  and  therefore  half-brother  to  King  Henry  III. 
In  1247  he  was  made  governor  of  Gooderich  Castle,  and 
married  to  Joan,  a  great  heiress  of  the  Munchensey  family, 
granddaughter  to  William  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 
the  Protector  ;  a  title  afterwards  borne  by  himself,  in  virtue 
of  the  estates  at  Pembroke,  which  he  held  (by  grant  1250) 
on  the  tenure  of  doing  suit  for  them  to  his  wife.  On  the 
death  of  her  father,  Warin  de  Munchensey,  in  1255,  who 
is  said  to  have  bequeathed  more  than  200,000  marks 
0^133.333  6j.  8^.),  the  wardship  of  his  son  WiUiam 
was  granted  to  this  foreigner. 

The  connection  of  William  de  Valence  with  this  neigh- 
bourhood is  still  perpetuated  in  the  name  of  -Benham- 
Valence,  which  was  granted  to  him  by  King  Henry  III. 
in  1250. 

The  Hundred  Rolls. 

These  Rolls  contain  Inquisitions  taken  in  pursuance  of  a 
special  Commission  issued  under  the  great  seal,  dated  nth 
of  October,  20  Edward  I.,  to  enquire  into  the  demesne 

'  Marsh's  "Annals  of  Chepstow  Castle,"  ed.  by  Sir  Johij  Maclean,  p.  112. 


1 1 8  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

rights  and  revenues  of  the  Crown,  which  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  III.  had  been  much  diminished  by  tenants  in  capita 
alienating  without  licence,  and  by  the  clergy  as  well  as  the 
laity  usurping  the  privilege  of  holding  courts  and  other 
Jura  Regalia.  Exactions  and  oppressions  had  also  been 
committed  on  the  people  at  the  hands  of  the  Sheriffs, 
Escheators,  and  other  officers  of  the  Crown,  and  by  false 
claims  by  the  nobility  and  others  to  the  rights  of  free  chase, 
free  warren,  &c.,  and  by  demanding  illegal  tolls. 

To  remedy  these  grievances  Edward  I.,  in  1273,  ap- 
pointed an  enquiry  in  every  hundred,  which  led  to  the  issue 
of  Quo  Warranto  proceedings  against  persons  who  claimed 
rights,  liberties,  privileges,  jurisdictions,  or  exemptions, 
to  compel  them  to  prove  their  titles  to  the  same.  The 
King  therefore  issued  the  Commission  alluded  to  ;  and  the 
result  produced  evidence,  upon  the  oath  of  a  jury,  of  each 
hundred  and  town  in  every  county. 

The  jurors  called  before  the  Commissioners  at  Newbury 
report : — 

"  That  the  Burgus  of  Newbury  and  the  Manor  of  Shrivenham 
were  in  die  hands  of  King  Henry  (father  of  the  present  King)  in 
consequence  of  the  death  of  the  Earl  of  Perche,  who  was  killed 
before  Lincoln  [in  arms]  against  the  King,  and  they  were  alien- 
ated (alienati)  by  the  Earl  Marshal  and  William  Longspd  "." 

The  term  "  alienated,"  as  here  used,  may  be  understood 
to  imply  that  after  the  death  of  the  Count  of  Perche  at  the 
battle  of  Lincoln  in  12 17,  and  the  forfeiture  of  his  lands, 
the  fee-simple  of  the  manors  and  borough  of  Newbury 
and  the  manor  of  Shrivenham  were  transferred  by  the 
King's  license  to  the  Earl  Marshal,  William  Marshal  the 
younger,  second  Earl  of  Pembroke,  and  William  Longespe, 
Earl  of  Salisbury,  who  died  in  1226.  The  reversion  in 
these  manors  appears  to  have  been  in  the  Counts  of  Perche» 
and  the  last  Count,  the  Bishop  of  Chalons,  no  doubt  sold 
whatever  interest  he  may  have  had  in  these  manors  as 
heir  to  his  nephew,  slain  at  Lincoln,  to  the  above  grantees. 

"  Rot.  Hund.,  vol.  i.  p.  9. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  119 

The  Hundred  Rolls  also  have  the  following  item  :— 

"  William  Cok  (Cook),  bailiff  of  Alice  da  la  Marche  of  Newbury, 
took  5  thieves,  of  which  two  were  hung,  and  three  gave  Alice 
and  her  bailiff  25  marks,  and  they  let  them  go  free ' ;" 

an   instance    of    hovsr    money    could    purchase   even   life 
itself  in  those  days. 

This  Alice  de  Marche  was  the  daughter  of  Guy  de 
Lusignan,  Count  de  Angouleme,  and  married,  in  1253, 
Gilbert  de  Clare,  son  aiad  heir  of  the  Earl  of  Gloucester, 
from  whom  she  was  afterwards  divorced.  Gilbert  married, 
secondly,  the  Princess  Joan,  usually  termed  Joan  of  Acre, 
having  been  born  at  Acre  during  the  Crusade.  It  will  be 
seen  from  an  Inquisitio  post  mortem  35  Edward  I.,  1307, 
that  Alice,  "  formerly  wife  of  the  said  Gilbert  de  Clare," 
held  certain  tenements  and  rents  at  Speenhamland  by 
demise  from  him. 

The  battle  of  Evesham,  in  1265,  and  the  death  of  Simon 
de  Montfort  was  followed  by  a  stern  and  ample  measure 
of  vindictive  retribution  by  the  King's  party.  Commis- 
sioners were  quickly  dispatched  into  the  different  counties  to 
seize  on  the  lands  and  goods  of  all  who  had  been  concerned 
in  those  proceedings  which  were  now  termed  rebellious, 
though  they  had  so  recently  borne  the  outward  aspect,  and 
exercised  the  influence,  of  King,  Barons,  and  Commons. 
No  order  or  dignity  was  spared  during  the  extortion  of 
plunder  on  this  occasion ;  some  religious  communities 
were  even  punished,  not  for  their  actual  help  or  intercourse 
with  Simon  de  Montfort,  but  for  their  presumed  inclination 
towards  his  cause. 

These  severities  were  sanctioned  by  a  Parliament  held 
at  Winchester,  September  8,  1265,  to  which  it  does  not 
appear  that  any  representatives  of  the  Commons  were 
summoned.  By  legalizing  the  confiscation  of  all  the 
estates  of  de  Montfort  and  the  other  defeated  chiefs,  the 
Royalists  provided  a  fund  for  their  own  reward,  which  was 
profusely  distributed  among  themselves. 

•  Rot.  Hund. ,  vol.  i.  p.  10. 


120  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

A  return  of  all  the  lands  of  rebels  was  ordered  to  be 
made  to  the  King  by  October  13,  1265. 

The  King's  second  son,  Edmund,  surnamed  Crouchback, 
profited  most  of  all  by  the  grants  arising  from  the  disposal 
of  the  property  of  the  disinherited  barons.  His  father 
gave  him  all  the  estates  and  .the  office  of  High  Steward 
lately  belonging  to  "our  enemy  and  felon,  Simon  de 
Montfort,  by  whom  war  was  excited  in  our  kingdom," 
and  to  these  were  added  also  the  Earldom  of  Derby,  and 
the  estates  of  Nicholas  Segrave. 

By  the  Dictum  de  Kenilworth,  dated  Oct.  15,  1266,  the 
disinherited  were  permitted  to  obtain  pardon  for  their 
treason,  and  restoration  of  their  estates  by  payment  to  the 
Royalist  grantees  of  fines  varying  from  one  to  five  years' 
value.  But  from  this  composition,  however,  the  de  Mont- 
forts  were  in  express  terms  altogether  excluded,  and  the 
widowed  countess,  Eleanor  de  Montfort,  was  sentenced 
by  the  King,  her  brother,  to  perpetual  banishment  from 
England.  The  remainder  of  her  days  were  passed  in 
religious  retirement  at  the  Dominican  Nunnery  of  Mon- 
targis,  founded  by  her  husband's  sister.  An  ineffectual 
attempt  at  reconciliation  was  made  in  her  behalf  by  the ' 
King  of  France  the  following  year ;  but  Henry  in  his 
reply,  though  he  nominally  accepted  his  proferred  media- 
tion, pressed  him  urgently  V)  "  consider  the  enormity  of 
the  wrong  done  him  by  the  late  Simon  de  Montfort,  his 
sons  and  their  mother,  both  before  the  Award  of  Amiens 
and  afterwards."  No  alteration  ensued,  and  it  was  re- 
served for  the  more  generous  spirit  of  Edward  I.  in  1273 
to  restore  her  dower  as  Countess  of  Pembroke,  and  to 
allude  to  her  after  her  death,  which  occurred  in  1274,  in 
more  gracious  terms  y. 

The  children  of  Simon  de  Montfort  and  Princess  Eleanor 
were  : — 

I.  Henry,  named  after  his  sponsor,  Henry  HI. ;  killed 
at  Evesham,  1265. 

1  Her  heart  was  buried  in  the  Abbaye  de  S.  Antoine  des  Champs  at  Paris, 
founded  for  Bernardine  nuns  of  the  Cistercian  order,  in  consequence  of  the 
vehement  preaching  of  Foulques  de  Neuilly  against  matrimony. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  1 2 1 

2.  Simon,  prisoner  at  Northampton,  1264;  defeated  at 
Kenilworth,  1265  ;  murdered  his  cousin.  Prince  Henry,  at 
Viterbo,  1271. 

3.  Guy,  wounded  at  Evesham,  1265,  entered  service  of 
Count  d'Anjou  in  Italy  ;  also  engaged  in  the  murder  of 
Prince  Henry  at  Viterbo. 

4.  Almeric,  a  priest,  treasurer  of  York,  1265  ;  taken 
prisoner  by  Edward  I.,  1273;  released,  1283;  became  a 
Knight  in  Italy. 

5.  Richard,  left  England  for  Bigorre,  1265,  perhaps  the 
ancestor  of  the  Wellesbourne  Montforts. 

6.  Eleanor,  left  England  for  Montargis  with  her  mother, 
1265  ;  taken  prisoner,  1273  ;  married,  1279,  to  Llewellyn, 
Prince  of  Wales. 

Following  the  history  of  the  manor  in  its  chronological 
order  introduces  us  to  William  de  Mohun,  a  lineal  de- 
scendant of  his  namesake,  who  for  his  assistance  in  the 
invasion  of  England  received  from  William  the  Norman 
fifty  manors  in  Somersetshire,  with  the  castle  of  Dunster, 
beside  many  other  lordships  in  Devonshire,  Wiltshire,  and 
Warwickshire. 

The  interest  of  the  Mohun  family  in  the  estates  of 
William  .Marshal,  the  elder.  Earl  of  Pembroke,  was  ac- 
quired by  the  marriage  of  Sibilla,  his  fourth  daughter  and 
coheiress  with  WiUiam  de  Ferrers,  Earl  of  Derby,  whose 
daughter  Isabel  married — i.  Gilbert  Basset,  of  Wycombe, 
CO.  Bucksj  who  died  25  Hen.  III.,  and  2ndly,  Reginald  de 
Mohun,  the  second  of  that  name,  lord  of  Dunster,  co. 
Somerset,  who  died  41  Hen.  III.,  1256,  leaving  by  her  a 
son,  William,  who  by  Beatrix,  daughter  of  Reginald  Fitz- 
piers,  had  Reginald  (who  seems  to  have  died  young), 
Eleanor,  wife  to  John  Carru,  and  Mary,  wife  to  Sir  John 
Meriet,  between  whom  his  lands  were  afterwards  shared. 
William  de  Mohun,  at  his  death,  10  Edw.  I.,  1281,  left 
Reginald,  his  son  and  heir,  then  aged  seven  years.  Bea- 
trix, his  wife,  survived  him,  and  had,  11  Edw.  I.,  1282,  the 
manor  of  Sturminster-Marshal,  Dorset,  assigned  her  inter 
alia  for  her  dower.     Eleanor  Carru  seems   to  have  died 


122  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

without  issue,  for,  i  Edw.  III.,  John  de  Meryet  and  Mary 
his  wife  held  this  manor  ^ 

According  to  the  printed  Calendar  of  Inquisitions  (vol.  i.) 
William  de  Mohun  held  a  mill  in  Newbury,  or  some  share 
of  a  mill  there  (Newbiry  molend').  Reginald  de  Mohun 
is  said  to  be  his  son  and  next  heir,  whose  age,  according 
to  an  Inquisition  for  co.  Wilts,  would  be  six  years  in 
fifteen  days  after  Christmas  (8  January)  following  the  date 
of  Inquisition  (Oct.  8,  1282). 

Another  Inquisition  (co.  Devon),  taken  also  Oct.  8, 
1282,  makes  Reginald  de  Mohun  to  be  five  years  old  at 
Christmas  following.  In  another  Inquisition  for  Devon 
we  find  the  same ;  and  one  mentions  the  widow  of  Wil- 
liam as  Beatrice. 

On  examining  the  several  Writs  attached  to  the  In- 
quisition it  appears  that  William  de  Mohun  died  before 
August  20,  1282. 

An  Inquisition  respecting  the  lands  and  tenements  of 
William  de  Mohun  was  taken  at  Newbury,  on  August  3, 
25  Edw.  I.,  1297,  when  the  jury  found  that  William  de 
Mohun,  on  the  day  on  which  he  died,  held  the  thirteenth 
part  of  the  mills  of  the  town  of  Newbury,  worth  2.s.  per 
annum,  and  not  more,  because  broken  and  in  ruin  (terciam 
decimam  partem  molendinorum  villse  de  Neubury  et  valet 
per  annum  ijj.,  et  non  plus,  quia  fracta  sunt  et  ruinosa). 

No  mention  is  made  of  the  heirs  of  William  de  Mohun, 
but  by  a  Partition  (m.  9.)  made  by  Malcolm  de  Harley, 
the  King's  Escheator  citra  Trentam  25  Sept.,  25  Edw.  I. 
(1297),  it  appears  that  his  lands  were  divided  between 
John  de  Carreu  and  Alianor  his  wife,  one  of  the  daughters 
and  heirs  of  said  William  ;  and  John  de  Meryet  and  Mary 
his  wife,  the  other  daughter  and  heir  of  said  William  de 
Mohun.  By  this  Partition  is  assigned  to  John  de  Meryet 
and  Mary  his  wife  "  qujedam  tenementa  in  Newbur'  in 
Com.  Berk,  cum  pertinenciis  quae  ad  duos  solidos  exten- 
duntur  per  annum  V 

'  Hutchins,  Hist.  Dorset,  vol.  ii.  p.  121. 
"  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  25  Edw.  I.,  No.  43. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  123 

The  connection  between  the  Mohuns  and  Ferrers  will 
be  best  explained  by  the  following  pedigree,  which  shews 
that  the  second  and  fifth  daughters  of  the  Earl  of  Derby 
married  respectively  members  of  the  Mohun  family. 

William  Ferrers,  Earl  of  Derby,  =  Sybil,  or  Sibilla,  fourth  daughter 


ob.  1254,  38  Hen.  III. 


of  William   Marshal,    Earl   of 
Pembroke. 


I  I 

1.  Agnes.  =  WilliamVesci,  Baron  of  4.  Sybil.  =  1.  Francis  de  Bohun,  of 

Alnwick.  Midhurst. 

2.  Isabel.  =  1.  Gilbert  Basset  of  Wy-  5.  Joan.  =  1.  William  Aiguillon. 

combe,  co.  Bucks,  ob.  2.  John     de     Mohun,     of 

s.  p.,  25  Hen.  III.  Dunster. 

2.  Reginald  de    Mohun,  6.  Agatha.  =  Hugh  de  Mortimer,  of 

Baron  of  Dunster.  Chelmarsh. 

3.  Matilda.  =  I.  William  de  Kyme.  7.  Eleanor.  =  i.  William  de  Vallibus, 

2.  William     de     Vivo-  or  Vaux. 

nia.  2.  Roger    de     Quincy, 

3.  Emeric,  or  Almeric,  Earl  of  Winchester. 
de  Rupe-Cavardi.  3.  Roger  de  Leyburne. 

The  family  of  Ferrers,  or  de  Ferrariis,  was  of  Norman 
extraction,  and  came  into  England  at  -or  soon  after  the 
Conquest.  They  had  large  possessions  in  the  counties  of 
Stafford,  Derby,  Leicester,  &c.  The  Earldom  of  Ferrers 
was  given  them  1139,  3  Stephen,  but  taken  away  with  the 
best  part  of  the  estate,  50  Henry  III. 

The  connection  of  Roger  Bigot,  fourth  Earl  of  Norfolk, 
with  Newbury  was  established,  as  we  have  seen,  by  the 
marriage  of  his  father  Hugh,  third  earl,  with  Matilda, 
eldest  daughter  of  William  Marshal,  the  elder.  Earl  of 
Pembroke,  who  married  as  a  second  husband  John  de 
Warren,  Earl  of  Surrey,  and  died  in  1248. 

This  Roger  Bigot  was  one  of  the  most  powerful  and  con- 
stant adherents  of  the  barons,  in  spite  of  his  relationship 
to  De  Warren.  His  father  died  in  1225,  9  Henry  HI., 
when  he,  being  a  minor,  was  placed  under  the  wardship  of 
William  Longespe,  Earl  of  Salisbury.  In  the  following 
May  he  married  Isabella,  the  sister  of  Alexander,  King  of 
Scotland,  to  whom,  on  the  Earl  of  Salisbury's  death  in 
1226,  the  guardianship  of  Roger  Bigot  was  transferred. 
When  the  barons  determined,  in  1245,  no  longer  to  submit 
to  the  oppressive  exactions  made  on  the  kingdom  by  the 


124  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

Pope,  he  headed  those  who  addressed  a  remonstrance  to 
the  general  council  then  sitting  at  Lyons,  and  joined  in 
the  dismissal  of  the  papal  nuncio  from  the  shores  of 
England,  and  he  was  excommunicated  in  consequence. 
By  the  death  of  the  last  of  the  four  sons  of  William 
Marshal,  the  Protector,  their  inheritance  devolved,  as 
has  been  already  stated,  on  their  five  sisters,  of  whom  his 
mother  Matilda  was  the  eldest.  To  her  share  fell  the 
Marshalship  of  England,  which  she  transferred  to  Roger 
Bigot,  in  1247,  as  her  eldest  son,  the  King  soon  after 
confirming  him  in  the  office.  He  was  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal actors  in  the  great  council  held  at  Westminster  in 
May,  1258,  when,  on  the  barons  appearing  in  complete 
armour,  the  King  asked  of  them,  "Am  I  then  your 
prisoner?"  "  No,  Sir,"  replied  Roger  Bigot,  "but  by  your 
partiality  to  foreigners,  and  your  own  prodigality,  the 
realm  is  involved  in  misery.  Whereupon  we  demand  that 
the  powers  of  government  be  delegated  to  a  committee  of 
barons  and  prelates,  who  may  correct  abuses  and  enact 
salutary  laws."  The  Provisions  of  Oxford  embodying 
these  points  were  eventually  enforced,  and  under  them  his 
brother  Hugh  was  nominated  chief  Justiciary.  After  the 
battle  of  Lewes,  where  he  fought  in  the  victorious  ranks 
of  Sirhon  de  Montfort,  he  was  appointed  by  the  barons 
Governor  of  the  castle  of  Oxford.  He  died  in  1270,  leav- 
ing no  issue. 

Roger  Bigot,  nephew  and  heir,  being  son  and  heir  of 
Hugh  Bigot,  chief  Justiciary  of  England,  the  younger 
brother  of  Roger,  fourth  Earl  of  Norfolk,  succeeded  his 
uncle  as  fifth  Earl  and  Earl  Marshal.  But  having  no 
issue  he  surrendered  this  Earldom  and  the  Marshal's  Rod 
into  the  King's  hands,  which  were  re-granted  to  him  and 
to  the  heirs  of  his  body  1302,  but  he  died  childless  in 
1307,  leaving  John  his  brother  his  next  heir  ;  but  in  con- 
sequence of  the  said  surrender  his  dignities  became 
extinct. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 


125 


The  following  brief  pedigree   will  shew  more   clearly 
the  descent  of  the  Bigot  family  when  holding  Newbury. 

Hugh   Bigot,    3rd  =  Matilda,  eldest  daughter  of  Wil- =  William  de  War- 


Earl     of 

Nor- 

liam    Marshal 

,    the    Protector, 

ran.  Earl  of  Sur- 

folk,     1st 

hus- 

and  granddaughter  of  Richard 

rey,    2nd     hus- 

band, ob. 

1225. 

Strongbow,  ob 

.  1248. 
=Joane,  d. 

band. 

Roger    Bi-  = 

Isabella,          HughBi-  = 

1 
John    Warren, 

got,    4th 

sister  of          got,  the 

of  Ro- 

Earl of  War- 

Earl  of 

Alexander,       Justi- 

bert 

ren  and  Sur- 

Norfolk, 

King  of          ciary. 

Burnet. 

rey. 

0.  s.  p. 

Scotland. 

1270. 

I  I 

Roger   Bigot,  =  1st,  Aliva,  d.  of  Philip,  Lord  Basset,     John  Bigot, 
*  5th   Earl   of        and   widow  of  Hugh   Despenser ;       the  Plu- 

Norfolk,  2nd,  Alice,  d.  of  John  de  Aveynes,       ralist. 

o.  s.  p.  or  Anesine. 

ob.  1307. 

The  manorial  records  next  bring  into  association  with 
our  town's  history  the  name  of  Roger  Mortimer,  sixth 
Baron  Mortimer  of  Wigmore,  one  of  the  most  uncom- 
promising Royalists  during  the  troublous  reign  of  Henry 
III.  His  line  of  ancestry  included  the  distinguished 
names  of  Longespe,  de  Ferrers,  and  a  Welsh  Princess  ; 
and  he  himself  was  married  to  Matilda,  daughter  and 
coheiress  of  William  de  Braose,  by  his  wife  Eva,  one  of 
the  daughters  and  coheirs  of  William  Marshal,  the  Pro- 
tector, by  which  marriage  he  became  seized  of  a  moiety 
of  the  revenues  of  the  manor  of  Newbury. 

Roger  Mortimer  died  Oct.  27,  1282,  when  his  son 
William  Mortimer  acquired  an  interest  in  the  manorial 
revenues  of  Newbury.  He  was  living  at  Attleburgh,  co. 
Norfolk,  in  1283,  and  was  one  of  the  sixty  persons  sum- 
moned on  June  8,  22  Edw.  I.,  1294,  to  attend  the  King, 
wherever  he  might  be,  to  advise  on  the  affairs  of  the  realm, 
and  again,  January  26,  25  Edw.  I.,  1297,  "but  it  is  doubtful," 
observes  Sir  Harris  Nicolas,  "  if  either  of  these  writs  can 
be  considered  as  a  regular  Summons  to  Parliament." 

This  William  Mortimer  died  in  the  twenty-fifth 
year  of  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  (1297),  and  an  Inquisition 
was  made  at  Newbury  of  the  lands  and  tenements  which 
he  held  on  the  day  in  which  he  died,  in  the  county  of 


126  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

Berks,  by  Master  Adam  Marel,  William  de  Rivers,  Philip 
Parker,  William  de  Ymington,. Nicholas  de  la  Hyde,  John 
de  Potesmore,  John  de  Martell,  John  Attheberne,  Thomas 
le  Meier,  Nicholas  Russell,  John  Farou,  and  Henry  of  the 
Mill,  jurors  : — 

"  Who  say  upon  their  Oath  that  the  aforesaid  William  held  of 
Matilda  de  Mortimer  on  the  day  on  which  he  died  nine  pounds 
five  shillings  and  sixpence  Rents  in  the  Town  of  Newbury,  and 
thirty-two  shillings  Rents  in  Spenehamlonde  and  Wodespene, 
and  thirteen  shillings  from  the  Toll  of  the  Market,  and  ten 
shillings  from  the  Tanning  Mills,  and  sixty  shillings  from  the 
pleas  and  perquisites  of  Courts,  by  the  Service  of  rendering 
yearly  to  the  said  Matilda  at  the  Feast  of  Saint  Michael  one  pair 
of  Gilt  Spurs  value  sixpence,  of  the  Feoffment  of  the  aforesaid 
Matilda  in  form  following,  that  is  to  say,  that  if  the  aforesaid 
Wilham  should  die  without  heir  of  his  Body  lawfully  begotten 
then  all  the  aforesaid  tenements  after  the  death  of  the  said 
William  should  revert  to  the  aforesaid  Matilda  and  her  heirs. 
Also  they  say  that  the  aforesaid  William  died  without  heir  of  his 
body  lawfully  begotten.  Sum  ;^i5  os.  6d. 

"  Also  they  say  that  the  aforesaid  William  held  on  the  day  on 
which  he  died  forty-eight  shillings  from  the  Toll  of  the  Market 
in  the  Town  of  Newbury,  and  six  shillings  from  the  Toll  of  the 
Mills  of  the  Feoffment  of  Roger  Bigot,  Earl  Marshal,  made  to 
the  said  William  his  heirs  and  assigns  of  the  aforesaid  Earl  by 
the  service  of  one  penny.  Sum  545. 

"  Also  they  say  that  the  aforesaid  William  and  Hawisia  his 
wife  held  jointly  two  shillings  Rent  of  the  Mills  in  the  said  Town 
of  Denys  de  Crofte  of  the  Feoffment  of  the  said  Denys  made  to 
the  same  William  and  Hawisia  and  to  their  heirs  and  Assigns  by 
the  Service  of  one  penny.  Sum  2^. 

"  Also  they  say  that  Edmund  Mortimer,  Brother  of  the  afore- 
said William,  is  his  next  heir  and  of  the  age  of  thirty  years  and 
upwards.  In  Witness  whereof  the  aforesaid  Jurors  have  to  this 
Inquisition  affixed  their  Seals ''." 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  as  William  Mortimer  died  with- 
out leaving  issue,  whatever  property  he  had  by  Matilda, 
his  mother,  reverted  to  her.     Hawise,  wife  of  William,  was 

''  Chanc. ,  Inq.  p.  m.,  25  Edw.  I.,  No.  36. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  127 

the  only  daughter  and  heir  of  Robert  de  Mucegros,  and 
after  the  death  of  her  first  husband,  Mortimer,  she  married 
John  de  Ferrers. 

By  another  Inquisitio  post  mortem  held  at  Newbury  on 
Monday  before  the  Feast  of  the  Nativity  of  St.  John  Bap- 
tist 27  Edward  I.  (June  22,  1299),  on  the  death  of  MATILDA 
DE  KymeS  the  jurors  say  : — 

"  That  the  said  Matilda  {Matiir)  held  of  the  King  in  capite  in 
her  demesne  as  of  fee,  on  the  day  of  her  death,  the  sixth  part  o 
a  mill  in  Neubury,  as  her  share  of  the  inheritance  of  the  Ear 
Marshal  of  England  (William  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke)  by 
knight's  service,  doing  scutage  therefor;  and  that  portion  was 
worth  in  all  issues  40  pence.  Lady  Joan  de  Vyvon,  (Johanna  de 
Vivonia  in  another  Inquisition),  and  Lady  CeciHa  de  Beauchamp 
are  daughters  of  the  said  Matilda  {ejusdem  Matilldis),  and  her 
next  heirs;  Joan  the  eldest  daughter  being  aged  fifty,  and  Cecily 
the  younger,  forty  years." 

On  another  membrane  : — 

"  The  share  (pars)  of  Aymer  (Adomari)  de  Archiace  (or  Arches), 
cousin  and  fourth  heir  of  Maltilda  de  Kyme,  of  all  the  lands  and 
tenements  which  the  said  Matilda  held  of  the  King  in  chief 
After  stating  the  portions  allotted  in  Bedfordshire  comes 

Berkshire.  A  fourth  part  of  a  sixth  part  of  a  mill  in  Nywebury, 
valued  at  10  pence  per  annum." 

Matilda  de  Vivonia,  or,  as  she  is  generally  styled,  de 
Kyme  *,  was  the  third  daughter  of  William  Ferrers,  Earl 
of  Derby,  by  his  wife  Sybilla,  fourth  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Marshal,  the  Protector.  Her  first  husband  was  Wil- 
liam de  Kyme,  and  she  married  secondly,  William  de 
Fortibus^  or  de  Vivonia,  Earl  of  Albemarle,  who  sided 
with  Simon  de  Montfort  and  the  barons  throughout  their 
defence  of  the  constitutional  liberties  of  England  ;  and  his 
name  appears  as  one  of  the  twenty-four  councillors  in  the 

«  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  27  Edw.  I.,  No.  35. 

■•  Kyme.  The  name  of  this  family  was  assumed  from  a  lordship  in  Kes- 
teven,  in  the  county  of  Lincoln. 

'  The  surname  de  Fortibus  was  derived  from  Fors,  a  commune  of  the 
canton  of  Prahecq,  arrondissement  of  Niort,  departement  of  Deux  Sevres,  in 
Poitou. 


128  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

Provisions  of  Oxford,  (1258).  She  married  thirdly  Almeric 
de  Rochechouart '  (de  Rupe  Cavardi). 

William  de  Fortibus  died  in  1263  without  male  heirs,  but 
leaving  four  daughters,  Joan,  Cecilia,  Sybilla,  and  Mabilla. 
Joan,  the  eldest  daughter,  married  Reginald  Fitz  Piers  or 
Peter;  Cecilia  married  John  Beauchamp,  of  Hatch,  co. 
Somerset ;  Sybilla,  third  daughter,  married  Guido  de  Ro- 
chechouart ;  and  Mabilla  married  Fulco  de  Archiaco  s. 

The  following  pedigree  will  make  the  previous  notes 
more  clear : — 


de  Vivonia  de  Poictou.  =     .... 

\ 

Hugh  de  Vivonia,  or  de  Fortibus,  of  =  Mabel,   heir    of  her    brother,    Wil- 
Poictou  and  Acquitaine.  I  liam    Mallet,    of  Cory-Mallet,    who 
I  died  ante  9  Hen.  HI. 

1 
Wdliam  de  Fortibus,  Earl  of  Albe-  =  Matilda,  third  daughter  of  William 


marie,    styled   de   Fortibus,    obiit 
1263. 


Ferrers,  Earl  of  Derby,  married — 

1.  William  de  Kyme. 

2.  William  de  Fortibus. 

3.  Almeric  (de  Rupe  Cavardi),  obiit 

1299. 


1.  Joan  de  Vivonia.  =  Reginald  Fitz-  3.   Sybilla.  =  Guido     de     Rupe    Ca- 

Peter,  ob.  7  Ed.  II.  vardi. 

2.  Cecilia.  =  John     Beauchamp     de  4.  Mabilla.  =  Fulco  de  Archiaco. 

Hatch,  ob.  14  Ed.  II. 

Adomar  Archiaco,  at  his  death,  7  Edward  II.,  held  a 
moiety  of  the  manors  of  Sturminster-Marshal,  Dorset,  and 
Shepton-Mallet,  Somerset :  Fulco,  his  brother  and  heir, 
being  then  twenty-eight  years  of  age.  Mabel,  his  mother, 
held  lands  in  Berks,  Surrey,  and  Gloucestershire. 

INCIDENTS    CONNECTED   WITH   NEWBURY. 

King  John  at  Newbury. 
Incidentally,  we  have  evidence  by  the  following  entry  on 
the  Fine  Roll,  1204  or  1205  ^  that  King  John  was  at  New- 
bury on  the  30th  of  December,  in  the  second  year  of  his 
reign,  1200:  and  that  he  was  accompanied  by  his  natural 
son  Geoffrey,  who,  on  this  occasion,  promised  to  present 

'  a  town  in  the  Limosin  (Haut- Vienna). 

s  Latinised  De  Arcis,  and  sometimes  written  "of  Arches.''     The  surname 
de  Archiaco  was  derived  from  Archiac  in  Saintonge  (Charante-Inferieure). 
"  Fine  Roll,  6  John,  m.  13. 


Neivbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  129 

his  father  with  two  good  saddle-horses  or  palfreys  as  a 
service  for  the  manor  of  Newbury,  which  had  been  granted 
to  him  by  the  King.  But  the  gift  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  fulfilled  until  some  time  after,  as  the  reference 
in  the  Charter  Roll  indicates,  though  the  undertaking 
or  pledge  was  made  on  December  30,  1200. 

"  Geoffrey,  son  of  the  Lord  the  King,  gives  to  the  Lord  the 
King  two  good  palfreys  to  be  rendered  to  the  Lord  the  King  at 
London  in  the  Octave  of  St.  Michael  (6  Oct.).  Of  his  gift  when 
the  Lord  the  King  lodged  at  Neubiri. 

"  Pledge,  John  de  Stoke  *." 

The  "Itinerary"  of  King  John,  compiled  almost  ex- 
clusively from  the  royal  attestations  to  charters,  grants, 
and  other  documents,  shews  that  the  King  was  at  Newbury 
on  the  1 2th  of  December,  1203 ;  on  the  8th  and  9th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1204,  on  his  way  to  Freemantle  Park,  Kingsclere, 
a  favourite  hunting-lodge  of  the  King's,  as  illustrated  by 
the  "Itinerary;"  and  again  on  the  24th  and  25th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1 2 14,  en  route  from  Freemantle  Park  to  Reading. 

The  King  was  also  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Newbury 
in  August,  1207,  as  on  the  3rd  he  was  at  Chieveley  and 
Currage,  and 'on  the  5th  at  Woolley,  from  whence  he  pro- 
ceeded to  Woodstock.  He  was  likewise  at  Bishop's  Clere, 
or  Highclere,  as  it  was  afterwards  called,  on  August  22, 
12 1 3.  The  Bishops  of  Winchester  were  owners  of  this 
manor  and  had  a  house  there,  hence  its  name  of  Bishop's 
Clere,  in  contradistinction  to  King's  Clere,  a  royal  vill, 
and  Burgh  Clere. 

It  has  been  suggested  that  the  termination  *'  clere  "  may 
be  taken  as  indicating  a  cleared  space  in  a  forest ;  the 
word  "  clear  "  being  in  use  now  to  denote  a  free  space,  but 
the  derivation  is  quite  an  open  question  ;  the  prefix  of 
High  Clere  being  derived  from  the  high  table-land  which 
it  comprises  ;  of  King's  Clere,  from  its  having  been  a  royal 
residence ;  and  Burgh  Clere,  from  the  beorg  or  fortress 
on  the  adjacent  hill. 

'  The  Teste  of  the  King  at  "Neubiri,"  Dec.  30,  2  John  (1200).  Charter 
Roll,  2  John,  m.  18,  dorso. 

K 


130  Newbury  in  the  TJiirteenth  Century. 

A  curious  instance  of  the  execution  of  a  charter  by 
King  John  "  between  Newbury  and  Abingdon  "  is  recorded 
on  the  Patent  Rolls,  July  15,  1215,  on  the  morning  of 
which  day  the  wandering  Court  had  left  Clarendon,  near 
Salisbury,  and  arrived  at  Abingdon  the  same  evening,  a 
journey  of  fully  fifty-six  miles,  an  instance  of  the  distance 
it  was  possible  to  travel  in  such  early  times,  which,  con- 
sidering what  the  roads  must  have  been  in  those  days,  is 
very  surprising.  It  was  pointed  out  by  the  late  Sir 
Thomas  Duffus  Hardy  that  with  few  exceptions  the  Court 
stopped  at  some  place  in  which  the  King  had  an  interest, 
as  either  a  castle,  royal  manor  (as  Newbury  was),  or  at 
some  religious  house,  in  order  that  he  might  consume  the 
provisions  due  to  him  in  lieu  of  rent  from  those  places. 

St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital. 

In  the  reign  of  King  John  we  have  evidence  that  a 
hospital  dedicated  to  St.  Bartholomew,  Apostle  and 
Martyr,  was  founded,  or  at  le^st  exis.ted,  in  this  town.  The 
original  charter  of  foundation  is  wanting,  but  we  find  in 
the  Close  Rolls  the  following  grant  of  a  fair,  which  shews 
that  the  institution  was  a  recipient  of  the  King's  favour 
as  early  as  the  year  12 15  : — 

"  The  King  to  the  Sheriff  of  Berkshire  greeting.  Know  that 
we  have  granted  to  the  Hospital  of  St.  Bartholomew  at  Newbury 
and  to  the  brethren  serving  God  there,  that  they  may  have  each 
year  a  fair  at  Newbury  lasting  for  two  days — that  is  to  say  on 
the  day  and  on  the  morrow  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Day.  Provided, 
however,  that  such  fair  shall  not  be  to  the  injury  of  neighbour- 
ing fairs.  And  therefore  we  order  you  that  you  allow  the  said 
Hospital  and  the  aforesaid  brothers  to  have  the  aforesaid  fair  for 
two  days,  together  with  all  its  appurtenances  and  liberties  and 
free  customs  belonging  to  fairs  of  this  kind,  as  aforesaid.  Wit- 
ness Myself  at  Ciren[cester]  the  7th  day  of  July,  [1215]''." 

The  only  known  documents  of  an  early  date  relating  to 
the  endowment  of  this  charity  are  three  original  Latin 

''  Rot.  Litt.  Claus.,  17  John,  m.  28. 


Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  131 

deeds  in  the  possession  of  the  author.  The  first '  of  these 
is  a  grant  by  William  Otuel,  Rector  of  Shaw,  which  must 
have  been  executed  between  A.D.  1256 — 1262,  the  dates 
enclosing  the  years  when  Giles  de  Bridport,  one  of  the 
witnesses,  was  Bishop  of  Salisbury.  The  following  is  a 
translation  : — 

"  Let  those  present  and  future  know  that  I  William  Otuel,  rector 
of  the  church  of  Saweys  [Shaw],  have  given  and  granted,  and  by 
this  my  present  charter  have  confirmed,  for  me  and  my  heirs,  to 
God  and  the  House  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  Bartholomew  of  New- 
bury and  to  the  Brethren  and  Sisters  serving  God  there,  and  their 
successors,  and  to  the  poor  folk  resorting  thither,  in  free  and 
perpetual  alms,  all  that  holding  with  sixteen  acres  of  arable  land 
which  I  bought  of  Simon  White  in  the  vill  of  Newbury.  And 
two  acres  and  a  half  of  arable  land  which  I  bought  of  Simon  le 
Cur.  And  one  acre  of  arable  land  which  I  bought  of  John  Showe, 
and  one  piece  of  land  which  I  bought  of  Thomas  Showe  in  Que- 
chemede,  where  my  grange  was  situated,  with  all  their  appurte- 
nances everywhere,  for  the  health  of  my  soul  and  the  souls  of  my 
ancestors.  To  have  and  to  hold  freely,  quietly,  wholly,  well  and 
in  peace,  and  by  hereditary  right  for  ever,  in  free  and  perpetual 
alms.  Paying  therefore  yearly  to  Simon  White  and  his  heirs  two 
shillings  ;  and  to  the  lord  of  the  estate  for  sixteen  acres  of  land 
two  shillings  and  eight  pence,  and  to  Thomas  Showe  six  pence, 
and  to  the  lord  of  the  Estate  for  three  acres  and  a  half  of  land 
two  shillings  and  three  pence  for  all  secular  services,  exactions 
and  demands  belonging  to  me  and  my  heirs.  And  in  order 
that  this  my  gift,  grant  and  confirmation  of  my  charter  may 
remain  firm  and  stable,  I  have  confirmed  this  present  charter 
with  the  impression  of  my  seal. 

"  With  these  witnesses,  Giles,  Lord  Bishop  of  Salisbury  [1256 — 
1262]  then  present;  Sir  Stephen,  Prior  of  Sandelford ;  Sir  Arketill, 
then  Steward  of  Sir  Simon,  earl  of  Leicester ;  Richard  del  Frith ; 
Ralph  Fitz-Richard ;  Thomas  de  Sandelford ;  Gervase  Fiwyan ; 
Nicholas  Godemanj  John  de  Farendun;  Thomas  de  Everynton; 
John  de  Bagenore  ";  Philipp  Dyer;  Walter  de  la  Bolehuse  j  William 
Scrivener,  and  many  others." 

'  The  other  two  will  be  inserted  in  order  of  date. 

"■  The  name  of  John  de  Bagenor  opcurs  as  defendant  to  a  Final  Concord  in 
respect  to  certain  messuages  and  land  in  Benham-Valence,  in  1261. 

K  2 


132  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

From  the  above  we  gather  the  name  of  one  of  the 
earliest  benefactors  to  this  hospital,  and  that  the  gift  was 
made  when  Simon  de  Montfort,  Earl  of  Leicester,  was 
possessed  of  the  manor,  his  Steward  being  one  of  the  wit- 
nesses, and  one  or  two  other  local  details  of  some  in- 
terest. 

The  King's  Dogs  at  Newbury. 

In  this  year  there  is  the  following  entry  on  the  Close 
Rolls  relating  to  Newbury : — 

"  The  King  to  the  Sheriff  of  Berkshire,  greeting. 
"We  order  you  that  you  let  Richard  Broadmoor"  and  Richard 
Pincun,  while  staying  at  Newbury  with  our  dogs,  according  to 
our  order,  have  sixty  shillings  for  their  expenses,  that  is  to  say 
thirty  shillings  to  each  of  them ;  and  it  shall  be  accounted  to 
you  at  the  Exchequer. 

"Witness  as  above  [i.e.  at  Wilton  Jan.  4]  in  the  7th  year  of 
our  reign  [i.e.  1223]  °." 

It  would  seem  that  the  King's  dogs  were  kept  there 
while  the  King  was  hunting  in  the  neighbourhood,  but 
whether  or  not  he  was  himself  staying  in  Newbury  at  the 
time  there  is  no  evidence  to  shew. 

King  Henry  the  Third  at  Newbury. 

We  have  good  authority  from  original  and  contemporary 
records  for  supposing  that  in  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  an 
Hospitium,  or  guest-house,  existed  at  Newbury,  probably 
used  for  the  lodging  and  entertainment  of  the  Court  when 
travelling  or  engaged  in  hunting  expeditions  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood— a  favourite  diversion  of  the  early  Plantagenet 
Kings. 

In  the  6th  of  Henry  III.,  1222,  the  following  account  is 
entered  on  the  Close  Rolls  p  : — 

"  The  King  to  his  Baron  of  the  Exchequer  greeting. 
"  Account  of  Hubert  de  Burgh  our  justice  : 

"  Brademore,  or  Broadmore,  is  {^art  of  the  Sandleford  estate. 
°  Close  Roll,  7  Hen.  III.,  m.  22.     p  Claus.  Comp.,  6  Hen.  III.,  m.  I. 


X^ewbiiry  in  the  Thirteenth  Century.  133 

"  The  sum  of  25.  9^.  which  he  paid  by  our  order  to  Caddoco  the 
messenger  of  Llewellyn  the  same  day  and  the  same  year  for  his 
expenses  towards  his  own  parts,  and  £■]  x^s.  which  he  paid  by 
our  order  to  Peter  de  Orwall  at  Newbury  on  the  day  of  St.  John 
the  Apostle  and  Evangelist  in  Christmas  week  in  the  settling  of 
our  expenses. 

"  Witness  [King]  Henry  at  Westminster  the  30th  day  of  Oc- 
tober, in  the  sixth  year  of  our  reign  [1222]." 

The  next  document  is  also  found  on  the  Close  Rolls  in 
the  following  year,  1223,  when  the  King  was  also  at  New- 
bury 1 : — 

"  The  King  to  Brian  de  L'Isle  greeting. 
, "  We  order  that  you  let  Richman  our  host  (hospes)  of  Newbury 
have  two  '  forks'  {Jurcas)  and  two  '  pannes'  {pannas)  in  Pamber 
[forest]  for  enlarging  and  repairing  his  house  and  our  Hostelry. 
"Witness   [King]   Henry,   &c.,   at  Newbury,   30th   March, 
[1223]." 

King  Henry  was  also  at  Newbury  on  January  31,  1226, 
when  his  name  is  attached  as  a  witness  to  a  charter  which 
was  executed  here '',  and  perhaps  again  in  1 248,  as  is  im- 
plied though  not  stated  in  the  next  section. 

Tournament  at  Newbury,  1248. 

It  was  on  a  solemn  occasion,  we  are  told,  that  King 
Henry  IH.  conferred  knighthood  on  his  half-brother, 
William  de  Valence.  The  King  had  passed  on  foot  through 
the  muddy  and  uneven  streets  to  Westminster  Abbey,  clad 
in  the  humblest  dress,  though  following  a  procession  of  full- 
robed  clergy.  In  his  uplifted  hands  he  held  a  crystal  vase, 
containing  what  had  been  sent  from  the  Holy  Land  by 
the  Templars  as  the  blood  of  our  Saviour ;  he  had  pre- 
pared himself  by  previous  fasts  and  watches  for  this  cere- 
mony, the  fatigue  of  which  nearly  overpowered  him,  but 
which  he  thought  so  important  at  the  time  that  he  charged 
his  historian,  Matthew  Paris,  whom  he  invited  to  dinner, 
especially  to  record  all  the  circumstances  of  the  day.  The 
pride   of  his   knightly  belt,   thus   publicly  invested,   led 

1  Claus,  Comp.,  7  Hen.  III.,  m.  15.     '  Close  Roll,  10  Hen.  IH.,  m.  24. 


134  Newbury  in  the  Thirteenth  Century. 

William  de  Valence  to  try  his  prowess  too  soon  after- 
wards against  some  English  nobles  at  a  tournament  at 
Newbury,  where,  being  yet  young  and  not  grown  to  his 
full  strength,  he  was  very  roughly  treated  by  the  tough 
veterans.  But  we  will  take  the  story  as  it  is  related  by 
the  Chronicler : — 

"  On  Ash  Wednesday  [4  March,  1248]  a  great  tournament  was 
begun  at  Newbury  amongst  the  knights  of  England,  that  they 
might  prove  their  knightly  prowess  and  strength;  As  the  King 
was  favourable  to  it,  it  begun  and  ended  well.  At  this  tourna- 
ment William,  the  King's  half-brother,  surnamed  de  Valentia,  a 
young  tiro,  entered  with  courageous  presumption,  to  acquire  a 
distinguished  title  for  knighthood ;  but  being  tender  in  age,  and 
not  of  his  full  strength,  he  could  not  sustain  the  attack  of  hardy 
and  martial  knights,  and  falling,  lost  many  [courses],  being 
soundly  beaten  that  he  might  learn  the  first  steps  to  knight- 
hood =." 

There  appears  to  have  been  another  important  assem- 
blage at  Newbury  at  the  close  of  the  same  year  in  which 
the  Tournament  took  place  (which  it  will  be  observed  was 
held  curiously  enough  on  the  first  day  of  Lent).  No  de- 
tails are  given,  but  the  Tewkesbury  Annalist  merely  records 
as  follows  under  the  year  1248  : — 

"  On  S.  Silvester's  day  (Dec.  31)  there  was  a  very  strong  wind. 
A  meeting  took  place  between  the  King's  Nobles  and  Richard, 
Earl  of  Gloucester,  at  Newbury  *." 

'  Chron.  Matthoei  Parisiensis  (Rolls  Series),  vol.  v.  p.  17. 
'  Annales  Monastic!.  Annales  de  Theokesberia,  1066 — 1263.    Rolls  Series, 
P-  137- 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


IRewburs  in  tbe  ffourteentb  Century. 

The  Manorial  History.— Matilda  de  Mortimer  holds  Tenements  and 
Rents  in  Newbury,  a.d.  1301. — Properties  held  by  Gilbert  de  Clare 
and  the  Countess  Joan,  a.d.  1307  ;  by  Henry  de  Lacy,  A.D.  1310;  and 
by  Ailmer  of  Arcy,  A.D.  1313. — The  manor  of  Newbury  assigned  by 
Roger  Mortimer,  second  Earl  of  March,  to  the  Bishop  of  Winchester 
and  others. — Tenements  and  Messuages  held  in  Newbury  by  Sir  Richard 
Abberbury,  Thomas  de  Rous,  and  Johnde  Estbury. — Edmund  Mortimer, 
third  Earl  of  March,  acquires  the  manor  of  Newbu)^  in  1360. — The 
manor  granted  to  Sir  John  Lovel  for  life  by  Edmund  Mortimer. — Lands 
and  Tenements  in  Newbury  held  by  the  Earls  of  Pembroke,  the  la 
Zouches,  and  Richard  Fitz-Alan,  Earl  of  Arundel. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — Edward  II.  at  Newbury. — The 
deadly  pestilence,  A.D.  1348.^ An  account  of  the  property  at  Newbury 
assigned  to  the  Priory  of  Sandleford,  A.D.  1349. — Further  grants  to 
St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital.  —  The  'f  Troyte  de  Neubury  "  in  the  Four- 
teenth Century. 

PURSUING  chronological  order,  we  come  to  the  twenty- 
ninth  year  of  the  reign  of  King  Edward  I.  (1301), 
when  an  Inquisition^  was  made  at  Newbury  on  Sunday  on 
the  Feast  of  Saint  George  the  Martyr  by  the  oath  of  John 
de  Bonburne,  Richard  Henyee,  Philip  Ryot,  Nicholas  de 
Everynton,  William  le  Tannur,  Robert  le  Cour,  John  de 
Gareford,  William  Puppard,  John  Meregrate,  Simon  le 
Cour,  John  Puppard,  and  Thomas  le  Seler,  that  is  to  say 
how  much  land  MATILDA  DE  MORTIMER,  lately  de- 
ceased, held  of  the  lord  the  King  in  chief  on  the  day  on 
which  "she  died,  and  how  much  those  lands  may  be  worth 
yearly  in  all  issues,  and  who  is  her  next  heir,  and  of  what 
age. 

"Who  say  upon  their  Oath  that  the  aforesaid  Matilda  held  of 

the  Lord  the  King  in  her  demesne,  as  of  fee  on  the  day  on  which 

she  died,  ten  shillings  Rents  of  Assise  to  be  received  yearly  from 

Thomas  le  Tannur  for  the  third  part  of  one  Tanning  Mill  in  the 

■  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  29  Edw.  I.,  No.  53.  In  the  Inq.  for  co.  Bucks,  the 
finding  is  that  Edmund  de  Mortimer  "fuit  de  etate  xl  annos  et  amplius  ad 
ft'm  sc'e  Marie  in  Marcio."  [March  25,  1301.] 


1 36  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

town  of  Newbury  ^t  two  Terms  of  the  year,  that  is  to  say,  at  the 
Feast  of  the  Nativity  of  Saint  John  the  Baptist  5^.,  and  at  the 
Feast  of  St.  Andrew  5^.  Sum  loy. 

"  Also  they  say  that  the  aforesaid  Matilda  held  in  her  demesne 
of  Fee  on  the  day  on  which  she  died  the  third  part  of  the  Pleas 
and  Perquisites  of  the  Court  of  Newbury,  which  said  third  part 
is  worth  yearly  6o.f.  Sum  605. 

"  Also  they  say  that  the  said  Matilda  held  in  her  demesne  as 
of  Fee  on  the  day  in  which  she  died  the  sixth  part  of  the  Toll 
of  the  Market  of  Newbury,  which  said  sixth  part  is  worth  yearly 
13^.  itd.  Sum  13J.  i^d. 

Sum  of  the  whole  Extent  ^4  3^'.  ^d. 

"  Also  they  say  that  all  the  aforesaid  Tenements  together  with 
:£g  Ss.  3ii/.  of  Rent  of  Assise  which  Hawyse,  who  was  wife  of 
William  de  Mortimer,  holds  in  Dower,  which  are  to  revert  to 
Edmund  de  Mortimer  and  his  heirs  after  the  decease  of  the  said 
Hawyse,  the  said  Matilda  held  of  the  Lord  the  King  in  Chief 
of  the  Marshalsea  by  the  fourth  part  of  a  Knight's  fee,  nor  did  she 
hold  more  in  the  said  County  of  the  Lord  the  King  or  of  any 
other. 

"  Also  they  say  that  Edmund  de  Mortimer  is  the  next  heir  of 
the  said  Matilda,  and  is  of  the  age  of  forty  years  apd  upwards. 
In  witness  whereof  the  Seals  of  the  Jurors  aforesaid  are  to  this 
Inquisition  affixed. 

"  Dated  the  day  and  year  abovesaid." 

The  Lady  Matilda  had  some  of  the  noblest  blood  in 
her  veins,  being  one  of  the  co-heiresses  of  William  de 
Braose,  who  married  Eva,  the  youngest  daughter  of  the 
Protector  Marshal.  The  inheritance  of  William  de  Braose, 
her  father,  being  divided  between  herself  and  three  sisters, 
viz.  Isabel,  wife  of  Llewellyn,  Prince  of  Wales ;  Eva,  wife 
of  William  de  Cantilupe  ;  and  Eleanor,  wife  of  Humphrey 
de  Bohun. 

Humphrey  de  Bohun,  the  eldest  son  of  the  Earl  of 
Hereford,  was  possessed  of  Brecknock  and  other  lands  in 
right  of  his  wife  Eleanor,  daughter  of  William  de  Braose, 
whose  inheritance  she  had  shared  in  1259  with  her  sister 
Matilda,  wife  of  Roger  Mortimer  of  Wigmore. 

William  de  Cantilupe  was  the  eldest  son  of  William  de 
Cantilupe,  steward  to  the  King,  who  died  35th  Henry  HL, 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  1^7 

leaving  two  sons,  viz.  Thomas,  second  son,  who  was  made 
Bishop  of  Hereford,  and  the  31st  Edward  I.  was  canonized 
for  a  saint ;  and  William  above  mentioned,  who  by  his 
marriage  with  Eva,  daughter  and  co-heir  to  William  de 
Braose,  lord  of  Brecknock  and  Abergavenny,  became  pos- 
sessed of  that  honour  in  her  right,  and  died  "  in  the  flower 
of  his  youth,"  leaving  one  son,  George — who  died  without 
issue — and  two  daughters,  co-heirs  to  their  brother ;  viz. 
Milicent,  wife  first  of  John  de  Montalt,  secondly  of  Eudo,  or 
Ebulo,  la  Zouche,  and  Joan,  wife  of  Henry,  Lord  Hastings. 
The  following  short  genealogy  will  shew  more  clearly 
the  connection  of  the  family  of  Braose  with  that  of  the 
Earl  Marshal  t-  :— 

Reginald  de  Braose.  =  I .  Griselda  [Graecia  :  Dugdale],  el- 
dest sister  and  co-heir  of  William 
de'Bruwere. 
2.  Gladys,  or  Gladuse,  daughter  of 
Llewellyn,  Prince  of  Wales,  re- 
married Ralph  Mortimer. 


William  de  Braose.  =EvA,  d.  of  William  Marshal,  E. 

of  Pembroke. 

isL 

=  1.  David, 

1                                       1 
Matil- ^  Roger,           Eva.  =  Wil- 

1 
Elea- 

= Hum- 

bel. 

son  of 

da,            LordMor-                liamde 

nor. 

phrey 

Llewellyn, 

oi.            timer,  of                   Canti- 

de  Bo- 

Prince  of 

1301.        Wigmore.                 lupe. 

hun. 

Wales. 

2.   Peter 

Fitz- Her- 

bert. 

Braose  arms  :  cross  crosslets  not  fitchee. 

On  the  death  of  her  husband,  Roger  Mortimer,  in 
1282,  the  lands  of  Matilda  were  seized  by  the  King,  and 
not  restored  until  she  swore  not  to  marry  again  without 
licence.  She  died,  as  we  have  seen,  in  1301,  the  date  of 
the  Inquisition  when  Edmund  Mortimer,  her  late  hus- 
band's brother,  inherited  his  interest  in  the  manorial 
revenues  of  Newbury. 

At  an  Inquisition  taken  at  Stratfield  (Stratfield-Mor- 
timer),  August  9,  32  Edw.  I.,  1304,  on  the  death  of  Ed- 
mund Mortimer,  he  is  stated  to  have  held  in  fee  at  the  time 
'  See  ante,  p.  no. 


138  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

of  his  decease  certain  tenements  in  Newbury,  co.  Berks,  of 
the  King  in  capite,  as  part  of  the  Marshalsey  of  England 
{Marescalcie  -A  nglie) ;  namely,  a  piece  of  land  worth  per 
annum  io.f.,  and  a  certain  part  of  two  water-mills",  worth 
<\s.  per  annum,  and  a  certain  part  of  a  tan-mill  '^  {Molenditii 
tannereti), -worth.  \os.  per  annum.  Free  tenants  paid  yearly 
45i'.  4</.  at  Michaelmas,  Christmas,  Easter,  and  Mid- 
summer equally. 

He  held  also  at  Newbury  a  certain  part  of  the  market- 
toll,  worth  20s.,  and  a  part  of  the  pleas  and  perquisites  of 
Court,  worth  40J.  per  annum,  the  total  annual  value  being 
£6  (js.  4d. 

Mention  is  made  of  Margaret,  wife  of  Edmund,  who 
seems  to  have  survived  her  husband.  Roger  Mortimer, 
son  of  the  said  Edmund,  is  his  next  heir  ;  and  he  was 
aged  seventeen  years  on  St.  Mark's  day  last  past  (April  25, 
1304)'=. 

Upon  the  death  of  Edmund  Mortimer,  who  was  mor- 
tally wounded  in  the  battle  of  Builth  against  the  Welsh- 
and  dying  of  his  wounds  at  Wigmore  Castle  in  1303,  was 
buried  in  the  abbey  there,  the  connection  of  this  remark- 
able family  with  Newbury  was  continued  by  his  son 
Roger  Mortimer,  created  Earl  of  March  in  1328,  who 


'  See  ante,  cap.  v.  p.  66,  nofe. 

^  See  anie,  cap.  viii.  p.  135. 

"=  Ghana  Inq.  p.  m.,  33  Edw.  I.,  No.  63  a. 

By  two  other  Inquisitions  Roger  is  said  to  have  been  eighteen  years  on  the 
feast-day  of  the  Invention  of  the  Cross  last  (IMay  3,  1304).  One  (Somerset) 
says  that  he  was  seventeen  at  the  same  feast.  One  calls  him  seventeen  and 
a  laalf  years  old,  but  six  Inquisitions  agree  in  saying  he  was  seventeen  on 
St.  Mark's  day. 

Among  the  Register  of  Muniments  of  Edmund  Mortimer,  Earl  of  March, 
are  the  following  charters  relating  to  Newbury  : — 

1.  Charter  of  Roger  Biggot,  Earl  of  Norfolk,  made  to  William  Mortemer 
and  his  heirs,  of  i6j.  2d.  annual  rent  to  take  from  certain  premises  in  New- 
bury.    No  date. 

2.  Charter  of  Maud  de  Mortemer  to  her  son,  William  de  Mortemer,  of  all 
her  laiids  .in  Newbury  and  Crendone  [co.  Bucks],  and  in  default  of  issue  of 
said  William  to  return  to  said  Maud  and  her  heirs.     No  date. 

3.  An  Indenture  by  which  Walter  de  Thornbury,  guardian  of  the  lands  of 
Roger  de  Mortemer,  leases  certain  fisheries  in  Newbury  to  Thomas  of  Sandle- 
ford  to  farm.     33  Edw.  I. 

4.  Charter  of  Wm.  Trevit  to  Wm.  de  Mortemer,  of  certain  lands  in  New- 
bury called  "The  Isle  of  Newbury,"  with  the  right  of  fishing  therein,  and  all 
appurtenances.     No  date. 

Addl.  MS.  6041,  f.  14  b,  B.  Mus. 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  139 

was  executed  and  attainted   1330,  when  all  his  honours 
became  forfeited. 

The  story  of  this  unprincipled  paramour  of  Isabella, 
queen  of  Edward  II.,  and  the  succession  of  events  which 
ultimately  led  to  his  death,  are  well  known,  and  need  not 
therefore  be  detailed  at  any  length. 

For  fourteen  years  Mortimer  was  one  of  the  most 
zealous  adherents  of  Edward  II.,  who  nominated  him  his 
lieutenant  in  Ireland  ;  but  he  united  himself,  in  1320,  with 
the  insurgent  barons,  who  raised  the  standard  of  revolt 
against  the  King  on  account  of  his  favourites  the  De- 
spensers.  Mortimer  was  taken  and  imprisoned  in  the 
Tower  of  London,  but  contrived  to  escape  to  France  in 
1323.  Subsequently  he,  with  Queen  Isabella,  made  a 
descent  upon  England  with  a  small  force,  which  was  in- 
creased by  large  numbers  of  the  English  people  who 
joined  his  standard.  The  King  was  taken  prisoner,  and 
afterwards,  in  1337,  murdered  in  Berkeley  Castle ;  his  son, 
Edward  III.,  being  placed  upon  the  throne  in  his  four- 
teenth year.  For  some  time  Mortimer  exercised  supreme 
power  in  the  name  of  the  young  King,  and  put  to  death 
the  Earls  of  Kent  and  Lancaster,  the  King's  uncles.  At 
length  Edward  III.  resolved  to  get  rid  of  Mortimer,  who 
was  impeached  and  convicted  in  a  most  summary  manner 
of  high  treason  and  other  crimes.  No  proof  in  evidence 
of  his  guilt  was  heard,  and  he  was  condemned  to  die  as  a 
traitor,  by  being  drawn  and  hanged  on  the  common  gal- 
lows— his  body,  after  being  exposed  two  days  on  the 
gallows,  was  allowed  interment  in  the  church  of  the 
Greyfriars,  which  '  stood  near  the  north-east  corner  of 
Newgate-street :  but  many  years  after  his  body  was  re- 
moved to  Wigmore.  It  is  remarkable  that  this  sentence 
was, -twenty-four  years  afterwards,  reversed  by  parliament 
in  favour  of  Mortimer's  grandson,  Roger  Mortimer,  son 
and  heir  of  Edmund  Mortimer,  his  eldest  son,  who,  in 
the  Parliament  of  27  Edw.  III.  (13S3),  obtained  the 
reversal  of  his  grandfather's  attainder,  the  reason  as- 
signed being  the  illegal  manner  of  the  proceedings.  Two 
years  afterwards  an  Inquisition  was  taken  at  Wallingford, 


I40  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

on  Tuesday  before  the  Feast  of  St.  Barnabas,  Apostle, 
28  Edw.  III.  (June  10,  1354),  concerning  the  lands  for- 
merly held  by  ROGER  MORTIMER  of  Wyggemore,  late 
Earl  of  March,  when  it  was  found  that  he  had  held  of 
the  King  in  capite,  by  fealty,  and  without  scutage,  a 
certain  manor  [quoddam  manerium)  of  Neubury,  and  a 
moiety  of  the  whole  lordship  (tocius  dominij)  of  the  town 
of  Neubury,  which  manor  and  moiety  were  of  the 
honour  of  Perche,  and  were  worth  in  all  issues  £\ots.  8d. 
per  annum. 

The  said  Roger  was  executed  on  Monday  after  the 
Feast  of  St.  Katherine,  Virgin,  in  the  fourth  year  of 
the  King  (26  Nov.,  1330),  and  Roger,  son  of  Edmund 
Mortimer  (who  died  Dec.  1331),  son  of  the  aforesaid 
Roger,  late  Earl,  was  his  next  heir,  and  aged  25  years '. 

Another  Inquisition  (Salop)  gives  November  29  as  the 
date  of  the  execution  of  Roger  Mortimer ;  and  two 
others  (Worcester  and  Hereford),  the  Eve  of  St.  Andrew, 
Apostle  (i.e.  November  29).  This  is,  no  doubt,  the  correct 
date,  ,  and  is  followed  by  Gregory's  Chronicle,  which 
says : — 

"And  the  same  Syr  Roger  Mortymer  was  hangyd  uppon  a 
comyn  galowys  of  thevys  of  Synt  Androwys  eve,  the  yere  of  our 
Lorde  M'CCC  and  XXX  e." 

On  June  16,  35  Edward  I.,  1307,  an  Extent  was  made 
at  Speenhamland,  Newbury,  before  the  King's  Escheator, 
of  the  lands  and  tenements  which  GILBERT  de  Ci.are,  and 
Joan  his  wife,  held  by  the  feoffment  of  the  King  for  their 
lives  and  to  their  heirs  begotten. 

This  Gilbert  de  Clare,  who  succeeded  his  father  Richard 
in  1262,  was  Earl  of  Gloucester  and  Hertford,  and  married 
first,  in  1253,  Alice  dd  March,  as  previously  mentioned, 
daughter  and  heir  of  Guy  de  Lusignan,  Lord  of  Cognac,  and 
d'Archiac,  Count  of  Angouleme,  niece  to  King  Henry  III. 
He  was  afterwards  divorced  from  his  wife,  and  married, 

'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  28  Edw.  III.,  No.  53. 
«  Gregory's  Chronicle,  Camden  Sec,  p.  79. 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  141 

secondly,  the  Princess  Joan,  daughter  of  King  Edward  I., 
born  at  Acre  during  the  Crusade,  and  hence  usually  styled 
"  Joan  de  Acre." 

She  died  in  1307,  and  the  Extent  of  the  property 
held  by  her  late  husband  and  herself  furnishes  us  with 
the  following  information  : — 

"  The  said  Earl  of  Gloucester  held  tenements  and  rents  in 
Speenhamlonde  near  Newebure,  of  which  the  said  Countess  Joan 
was  not  jointly  seized,  because  Alice  de  la  March,  formerly  wife 
of  the  said  Gilbert  de  Clare,  held  them  by  demise  from  him. 
The  said  tenements  were  held  of  the  Earl  Marshal,  but  by  what 
service  was  not  known.  There  were  \oos.  rent  forthcoming 
yearly  from  free  tenants,  at  the  four  terms  of  the  year  by  equal 
portions;  and  they  owed  suit  of  court  'from  3  weeks  to  3  weeks.' 

"The  market-tolls  at  Newbury,  and  pleas  and  perquisites  of 
Court  were  worth  1 6 j.  yearly.  The  total  annual  value  of  the  Earl 
of  Gloucester's  interest  on  property  in  the  town  being  _;^5  i6x.  od. 

"  Gilbert,  son  of  Gilbert  de  Clare,  was  returned  as  being  his 
next  heir,  and  aged  seventeen  years  and  more''." 

Our  manorial  annals  next  bring  into  association  with 
the  history  of  Newbury  the  name  of  another  notable 
character,  HENRY  DE  Lacy,  Earl  of  Lincoln,  and  some- 
times ''jure  uxoris"  styled  Earl  of  Salisbury,  who  was 
a  highly  distinguished  Peer  in  the  reign  of  the  first 
and  second  Edwards.  His  connection  with  Newbury 
arose  from  his  marriage  with  Margaret,  daughter  of 
William  Longespe,  son  of  the  renowned  Earl  of  Salis- 
bury, son  of  King  Henry  H.  by  the  celebrated  Fair 
Rosamond.  William  de  Longespe,  the  father  of  Mar- 
garet, commonly  called  Countess  of  Salisbury,  was  a 
mere  youth  at  the  period  of  his  death,  which  was 
occasioned  by  injuries  received  at  a  tournament  held  at 
Blyth,  in  the  year  1257.  Three  years  before,  that  is 
in  1254,  he  had  married  Matilda,  only  daughter  and 
heiress  of  Walter,    Baron    de    Clifford,    and   great-niece 

'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  35  Edw.  I.,  No.  47.  ..      c.  13        t,     . 

One  of  the  Inquisitions  for  Oxfordshire  (taken  Friday  after  S  .Barnabas 

■  day   ^S  Edw   I,,  Tune  16,  1307)  makes  Gilbert  de  Clare  (here  called  the  heir 

of  the  Earl  and  Joan)  seventeen  years  old  on  May  1 1  last  (1307).     Two  other 

Inquisitions  make  him  sixteen  on  the  same  May  11. 


142  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

to  his  own  ancestress,  Rosamond  Clifford.  Her  mother 
was  Margaret,  daughter  of  Llewellyn,  Prince  of  Wales, 
who  had  been  first  married  to  John,  Lord  Braose,  of 
Gower.  Only  about  two  years  after  the  marriage  of 
William  Longespe,  when  he  had  probably  fallen  into  his 
mortal  illness,  it  was  arranged  that  Margaret,  his  infant 
heiress,  should  be  given  in  marriage  to  Henry,  son  and 
heir  of  Edmund  de  Lacy.  The  contract  was  confirmed 
by  the  King,  with  the  proviso,  that  if  Henry  de  Lacy 
should  die  before  the  marriage  was  consummated,  John, 
his  younger  brother,  should  then  take  his  place  as  the 
husband  of  Margaret  de  Longespe.  William  Longespe 
died  shortly  after ;  as  also  did  Edmund  Lacy,  and  in 
consequence  Henry  de  Lacy  succeeded  to  the  estates 
of  both  ;  but,  being  a  minor,  was  in  ward  to  the  King, 
whilst  his  wife  was  in  custody  of  the  Queen.  He  be- 
came of  full  age  in  1268,  and  then  did  homage  with 
Margaret  his  wife,  and  had  livery  of  all  the  lands  where- 
of her  father  died  possessed. 

By  Margaret,  the  sole  heiress  of  William  Longespe, 
Henry  de  Lacy  had  issue  Edmund,  drowned  at  Den- 
bigh Castle,  and  John,  who  died  young,  and  a  daugh- 
ter and  heiress  Alice.  Henry  de  Lacy,  Earl  of  Lincoln, 
died  at  his  London  mansion,  on  the  site  of  the  present 
Lincoln  s  Inn,  in  the  year  1311-  Alice,  his  daughter, 
the  heiress  of  two  great  families,  was  in  1291,  at  nine 
years  of  age,  given  in  marriage  to  the  potent  nephew  of 
Edward  I.,  Thomas,  Earl  of  Lancaster,  Leicester,  and 
Derby,  who  by  this  alliance  added  to  these  three  earl- 
doms a  title  to  two  more,  Salisbury  and  Lincoln.  How 
he  was  subsequently  overpowered  as  it  were  by  his 
own  grandeur,  and,  falling  a  victim  to  the  jealousy  of  the 
Crown,  was,  in  1321,  beheaded  at  his  own  castle  at  Pon- 
tefract,  is  a  matter  of  national  history.  Her  marriage  had 
previously  terminated  unfortunately,  for  in  1 3 17  the 
Countess  Alice,  who  had  brought  him  no  children,  was 
carried  off  by  violence  from  the  same  manor  of  Canford 
in  Dorsetshire,  which  had  been  the  scene  of  a  similar 
outrage  on  her  grandmother,  and  was  carried  to  the  Earl 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  143 

of  Warren's  castle  at  Reigate,  where  one  Richard  de  St. 
Martin  came  forward,  and  claimed  her  as  his  wife  on  the 
plea  of  a  pre-contract.  This  indignity,  which  is  supposed 
to  have  originated  from  the  political  enmity  of  Earl  Warren 
and  the  King's  party,  occasioned  a  divorce  between  the 
Earl  and  the  Countess. 

Some  years  after,  the  Countess  Alice  took  for  her  second 
husband  Eubolo  le  Strange,  a  younger  son  of  John,  Baron 
Strange  of  Knockyn  ;  he,  in  consequence  of  his  marriage, 
was  summoned  to  Parliament  (as  a  baron)  from  1326  to 
his  death  in  133S,  and  in  some  documents  is  dignified  with 
the  title  of  Earl  of  Lincoln.  He  died  in  Scotland  about 
Michaelmas,  1335,  from  the  fatigues  of  the  campaign  of 
that  year  ;  and  his  body  was  brought  for  interment  to  the 
abbey  church  of  Barling,  co.  Lincoln. 

Before  the  8th  of  July  in  the  following  year  the  Countess 
Alice  had  taken  a  third  husband,  one  Hugh  de  Fresnes, 
a  knight  of  Artois,  who  at  that  date  obtained  livery  of 
the  Castle  of  Builth  in  Wales,  which  had  been  previously 
granted  to  Eubolo  le  Strange.  He  was  also  summoned 
to  Parliament  on  November  29,  and  January  14  following, 
but  died  in  the  month  of  December,  between  these  two 
summonses,  at  St.  John's  Town,  now  Perth,  in  Scotland. 

After  these  unfortunate  marriages  the  Countess  Alice 
survived  for  thirteen  years  a  widow.  She  died  at  length 
without  issue  Oct.  2,  1348,  in  the  67th  year  of  her  age, 
and  was  buried  in  the  church  of  Barling  by  the  side  of 
her  second  husband,  Eubolo  le  Strange.  With  this  lady- 
terminated  the  blood  of  the  Lacys,  and  the  elder  line  of 
the  Longespes.  Her  estates  went  to  Henry,  Earl  of 
Lancaster,  the  brother  and  heir  of  her  first  husband,  and 
contributed  to  swell  that  enormous  rental  of  the  Duchy 
of  Lancaster,  which  afterwards  encouraged  John  of  Gaunt 
to  aim  after  the  Crown,  and  enabled  his  son,  Henry  of 
Bolingbroke,  to  grasp  it. 

An  Inquisition  was  held  at  Newbury  on  February  22, 
4  Edward  IL  (1310-11),  on  the  death  of  Henry  de  Lacy, 
Earl  of  Lincoln,  by  which  it  appears  that  the  said  earl 
held  of  the  inheritance  of  Margaret  his  wife,  "  Countess 


144  Newbury  hi  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

of  Salisbury,"  34s.  yearly  rent  in  the  town  of  Neubiri, 
which  rent  was  held  of  Thomas,  Earl  of  Lancaster,  of 
the  honour  of  Lancaster,  but  by  what  service  is  not  known. 
The  said  rent  was  payable  at  the  four  terms  of  the  year 
by  equal  portions. 

Alice,  daughter  of  Henry  de  Lacy  and  Margaret  his 
wife,  whom  Thomas,  Earl  of  Lancaster,  took  to  wife,  was 
his  next  heir,  and  aged  twenty-six  years '. 

Another  Inquisition  was  taken  at  Newbury  July  28, 
7  Edward  IL  (1313),  respecting  the  property  of  Aymer 
or  Adomar  Archiaco,  brother  of  Fulk  de  Archiaco,  who 
married  Mabilla,  daughter  of  William  de  Fortibus,  or  de 
Vivonia,  earl  of  Albemarle,  when  the  jury  found  that  he 
held  at  his  death  no  lands  or  tenements  in  the  county 
of  Berks,  but  Mabel  (Mabilla),  his  mother,  held  for  some 
time  the  fourth  part  of  a  water-mill  in  Newebury ;  which 
part  after  her  death  came  into  the  King's  hand,  and  is 
worth  per  annum  in  all  issues  \od.  It  is  held  of  the  King 
In  capite  together  with  other  parcels  of  the  same  mill, 
but  the  jurors  know  not  by  what  portion  of  a  knight's 
fee. 

The  said  Aymer  was  next  heir  of  the  said  Mabel,  "  but 
for  the  smallness  {parvitate)  of  the  tenement  he  would  not 
sue  forth  siezin  thereof." 

Fulcandus  (or  Fulke)  de  Archiaco'',  brother  of  Aymer, 
is  his  next  heir,  and  aged  twenty-six  years '. 

One  of  the  less  notable  families  connected  with  Newbury 
at  this  period  is  that  of  Farou,  to  which  we  have  already 
referred,  and  we  find  them  holding  considerable  property 
in  Newbury  in  the  early  part  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III. 

It  appears  from  the  King's  Writ,  or  Elegit,  dated  at 
Coventry,  March  20,  9  Edward  III.  (1334-5),  that  John, 
son  of  John  le  Farou  of  Newbury,  on  July  13,  4  Edward 
III.  (1330),  entered  into  a  recognizance  to  pay  the  sum 
of  £/ip,  to  John  de  Farndo'n  (.?  Faringdon),  Clerk ;  half 
the  sum  to  be   paid  at  Whitsuntide  then  next  ensuing, 

'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  4  Edw.  II.  No.  51. 

•■  "Fulco  Arches"  occurs  in  "Enrolled  Escheators'  Accounts,"  9  and  10 
Hen.  IV.  (1408). 
'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  7  Edw.  II.  No.  50. 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  145 

and  the  remainder  at  the  same  feast  in  the  year  following- 
Payment  not  having  been  made  in  accordance  with  the 
terms  of  the  undertaking  a  writ  of  Elegit,  or  execution  for 
the  recovery  of  the  £Afi,  was  directed  to  the  Sheriff  of 
Berks,  commanding  him  to  make  an  Extent  or  valuation 
of  all  the  lands  and  tenements  of  John,  son  of  John  le 
Farou  of  Newbury,  and  of  John,  son  and  heir  of  said  John, 
and  grandson  of  the  elder  John,  with  other  persons,  held 
at  the  time  of  the  judgment  recovered.  Accordingly  a  jury 
of  twelve  men  was  impanelled  at  Newbury  on  April  20, 
I335>  and  the  property  appraised  or  extended,  before 
William  de  Spersholte,  the  Sheriff,  when  the  following 
persons  being  summoned,  attended  to  give  evidence  at 
the  enquiry :— John  de  Crokham,  John  de  Everyngton, 
John  le  Knyte,  Nicholas  the  Goldsmythe,  John  Edward, 
Richard  Gerveys,  John  le  Fisshere  of  Hungerford,  Robert 
de  Whatecombe,  and  Benedict  de  Bathe.  But  John  le 
Farou,  son  and  heir  of  the  debtor,  and  grandson  of  the 
first  John,  William  de  Hales,  John  Chalvesbreyn  of  Hun- 
gerford, carpenter,  John  atte  Burche,  Stephen  le  Cutel, 
Thomas  Coleman,  Roger  atte  Frithe,  and  John  le  Shu- 
perde,  did  not  attend,  although  they  were  all  warned  by 
Edward  le  Scryveyn  and  Edward  le  Baillif  to  be  present. 

The  jury  found  that — 

"  John,  son  and  heir  of  John,  son  of  John  le  Farou,  held  a 
messuage  with  garden  in  Newbury,  worth  per  annum  (clear)  iSi-., 
and  15  acres  of  arable  land  in  the  fields  (in  campis)  of  Newbury  and 
Spenamlonde,  every  acre  worth  per  annum  (clear)  Zd.  ;  and  40 
acres  of  arable  land  in  the  fields  aforesaid,  every  acre  per  annum 
(clear)  2s. ;  a  moor  in  Newbury,  worth  per  annum  (clear)  a,od. ; 
and  rent  of  assize  in  Newbury  and  Spenamlonde,  per  annum 
7^.  4d. 

"  John  de  Crokham  held  a  cottage  in  Newbury,  worth  per  annum 
(clear)  is.  6d. ;  a  meadow  in  Spenamlonde,  worth  per  annum 
(clear)  6d.,  and  one  acre  of  arable  land  in  Newbury,  worth  per 
annum  (clear)  ^d. 

"  WiUiam  de  Hales  held  a  messuage  in  Newbury,  worth  per 
annum  (clear)  16^-. 

L 


146  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

"  John  Chalvesbreyn  held  six  acres  of  arable  land  in  New- 
bury, every  acre  worth  per  annum  (clear)  2d. 

"  John  de  Everyngton  held  some  of  the  land  which  was  of  John, 
son  of  John  Farou  of  Newbury. 

"  John  atte  Burche  held  two  stallages  (stallagid)  in  Newbury, 
worth  per  annum  (clear)  \Zd. 

"  John  le  Knyte  held  two  crofts  {duas  croftas)  in  Newbury,  worth 
per  annum  (clear)  40^. 

"  Stephen  le  Cutel  held  one  acre  of  arable  land  in  Newbury, 
worth  per  annum  (clear)  %d. 

"  Thomas  de  Coleman  held  a  cottage  in  Newbury,  worth  per 
annum  (clear)  i2d. 

"  Roger  atte  Frithe  held  an  acre  of  arable  land,  worth  per 
annum  (clear)  2d. 

"  Nicholas  the  Goldsmythe  held  a  void  place  (imam  vacuam 
placeani)  in  Newbury,  worth  per  annum  (clear)  — . 

"  John  Edward  held  an  acre  of  arable  land  in  Newbury,  worth 
per  annum  (clear)  dd. 

"  Richard  Gerveys  held  a  messuage  with  curtilage  in  Newbury, 
worth  per  annum  (clear)  2s.  ;  and  three  acres  of  arable  land  in 
Newbury,  worth  per  annum  (clear)  2d. 

"  John  le  Fisshere  held  a  messuage  in  Hungerford,  worth  per 
annum  (clear)  10s. 

"  Robert  de  Whatecombe  held  3  acres  in  the  fields  of  Hunger- 
ford,  Hudden™,  and  Odyneton",  worth  per  annum  (clear)  18^. 

"  Richard  atte  Burche  held  a  messuage  in worth  per 

annum  (clear)  12s. ;  and  an  acre  and  half  of  arable  land  in 
Newbury,  worth  per  annum  (clear)  i2(/. 

"  John  le  Shuperde  held  in  Newbury  rent  of  assize  of  7  shillings 
per  annum,  and  an  acre  of  arable  land  in  the  same  town,  worth 
per  annum  (clear)  2d. 

"  And  the  aforesaid  Benedict  de  Bathe  held  an  acre  of  arable 
land  in  Newbury,  worth  per  annum  (clear)  2d. 

"  The  sum  total  of  the  Extent  was  io6j-.  9^/.,  and  in  accordance 
with  the  terms  of  the  Elegit  or  writ  the  Sheriff  made  delivery  of 
half  of  the  lands  and  tenements  in  which  the  defendant  had  any 
sole  estate  in  fee  or  for  life,  until  the  whole  debt  and  damages 
of  the  plaintiff  were  paid  and  satisfied  °." 

It  has  been    previously   mentioned  that  the    Countess 
"  Hidden.       »  Eddington.       °  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  9  Edw.  III.,  No.  63. 


Newhtry  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  147 

Alice,  daughter  of  Henry  de  Lacy,  Earl  of  Lincoln,  and 
Margaret,  the  sole  heiress  of  William  Longespe,  Earl  of 
Salisbury,  took  for  her  second  husband  Ebulo  le  Strange, 
a  younger  son  of  John,  Baron  Strange  of  Knockyn,  who 
died  about  Michaelmas,  1335. 

On  October  22  following,  9  Edward  III.  (1335)  an  In- 
quisitio  post  mortem  was  taken  at  Hurley  respecting  the 
property  of  which  Ebulo  le  Strange  and  Alice  his  wife 
held  at  the  time  of  the  death  of  the  former.  By  this  we 
find  that, — 

"  Ebulo  le  Strange  possessed  the  manor  of  Bustleham,  or 
Bisham,  and  a  messuage  and  a  carucate  of  land  in  Avington  near 
Hungerford,  together  with  2?>s.  iid.  rent  to  be  received  from 
certain  free  tenants  in  Newbury,  by  the  gift  and  feoffment  of 
John  Sefoul,  Knt.,  and  John  de  Wadenho  to  them  and  the  heirs 
of  Ebulo.  The  said  tenements  were  held  of  the  king  in  capite, 
as  parcel  of  the  Earldom  of  Salisbury  by  the  service  of  a  fourth 
part  of  a  knight's  fee ;  and  the  said  messuage  and  carucate  c  f 
land  with  the  rent  aforesaid  were  worth  in  all  issues  £,\t,  Zs.  i  k/.p" 

Roger,  called  in  another  Inquisition  Knight  {"  Rogerus 
Lestraunge  miles"),  son  of  John  le  Strange,  brother  of 
Ebulo,  was  returned  as  being  his  cousin  and  next  heir, 
and  aged  forty  years  and  more,  but  in  other  Inqui- 
sitions he  is  said  to  have  been  thirty  years  old  at  this 
time. 

On  April  16,  23  Edward  III.  (1349),  an  Inquisitio  post 
mortem  was  taken  at  Benham,  near  Newbury,  on  the  death 
of  William  de  Hastings,  who  died  the  preceding  March 
1 1,  when  it  was  found  that  on  the  day  of  his  decease  he 
held  the  manor  of  Benham-Valence  for  life  of  the  inheri- 
tance of  John,  son  and  heir  of  Lawrence  de  Hastings, 
late  Earl  of  Pembroke,  &c. 

The  Earldom  of  Pembroke,  as  we  have  already  seen, 
was  conferred  on  William  de  Valence,  half-brother  of 
Henry  III.,  on  his  marriage  with  Joan,  granddaughter 
of,  and  one  of  the  coheiresses  of,  William  Marshal,  the 

p  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  9  Edw.  III.,  No.  42. 
L  2 


148  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

great  Earl  of  Pembroke.  John  de  Hastings,  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, was  the  second  earl  of  that  family,  his  father, 
Lawrence  de  Hastings,  having  obtained  the  earldom  and 
manor  of  Benham-Valence  by  his  marriage  with  Isabel, 
daughter  of  William  de  Valence,  and  sister  and  heiress  of 
Aymer  de  Valence,  the  last  Earl  of  Pembroke  of  his 
family. 

The  William  de  Hastings  whose  death  occurred  in 
1349  was  styled  "le  neveu,"  which  probably  infers  that  he 
was  a  nephew  of  Lawrence  de  Hastings,  and  base  brother 
of  John  de  Hastings  ;  he  is  said  to  have  died  leaving  no 
heir,  because  he  was  illegitimate  {no7i  habuit  heredem  quia 
bastardus  fuit).  The  Inquisition  states  that  there  were  in 
Newbury  certain  free  tenants  now  dead,  who  in  their  life- 
time used  to  pay  at  four  terms  (Michaelmas,  St.  Thomas 
Apostle,  Annunciation  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  Nativity 
of  St.  John  Baptist)  to  the  said  Williarh,  for  the  term 
of  his  life,  of  the  inheritance  of  John,  son  and  heir  of 
Lawrence  de  Hastings,  40  shillings ;  but  now  their  tene- 
ments are  seized  into  the  King's  hand,  saving  the  right 
of  every  one.  Also  that  he  held  at  Newbury,  of  the 
inheritance  of  the  said  heir,  a  sixth  part  of  the  pleas  and 
perquisites  of  Court,  together  with  a  twelfth  part  of 
market-toll,  and  a  sixth  part  of  a  tan-mill ;  which  used 
before  the  pestilence  to  be  worth  yearly  26s.  Zd. ;  but  now 
yields  nothing  on  account  of  the  deadly  pestilence  {propter 
pestilenciam  niortalem'^. 

One  Inquisition  (Surrey)  states  that  John  de  Hastings, 
son  of  Lawrence,  is  heir  of  William,  and  aged  one  year 
and  a  half :  and  by  another  Inquisition  (Suffolk)  it  appears 
that  Lawrence  de  Hastings  married  Agnes,  daughter  of 
Roger  de  Mortimer,  and  that  she  survived  him ;  and  by 
an  Inquisition  (Kent)  it  is  said  that  Lawrence,  at  his 
marriage,  was  in  the  seventh  year  of  his  age. 

The  deadly  pestilence  which  is  mentioned  as  depre- 
ciating the  value  of  property  in  Newbury  extended  its 
desolating  ravages  throughout  England  and  Ireland.  Stow, 

1  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  23  Edw.  III.,  part  2,  No.  37., 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  149 

in  his  "Annales,"  in  describing  the  extensive   mortality 
which  occurred,  says  : — 

"  Of  the  common  people,  together  with  Religious  and  Clerkes, 
there  died  an  innumerable  sort,  for  no  man  but  God  onely  knew 
how  many.  There  died  from  the  first  of  Januarie  to  the  first  of 
July  in  the  Citie  of  Norwich  57,104  persons,  besides  Ecclesias- 
tical! Mendicants  and  Dominikes.  There  was  buried  in  the 
Church  and  Churchyard  of  Yarmouth,  in  one  yeere  7,052  men 
and  women,  before  which  time  the  personage  there  was  worth 
700  markes  by  yeere,  and  afterwards  was  scarce  worth  fortie 
pound  the  yeere.  .  .  .  This  great  pestilence  began  at  London 
about  the  Feast  of  All  Saints  in  the  yeere  1348,  and  continued, 
sometime  in  one  place,  sometime  in  another,  untill  the  yeere  of 
our  Lord  1357." 

It  is  recorded  that  more  than  50,000  persons  were  in- 
terred within  the  ground  now  forming  the  precincts  of  the 
Charter-house  ;  besides  many  thousands  more  in  the  dif- 
ferent churchyards  and  cemeteries  within  and  without 
the  city  walls. 

In  the  twenty-third  year  of  the  reign  of  Edward  III.  a  writ 
was  issued  to  enquire  whether  it  would  be  to  the  King's  in- 
jury to  grant  to  John  de  Estbury,  Thomas  Vykers,  John  atte 
Wyle,  and  John  Aylmere,  that  they  may  give  and  assign 
to  the  Prior  and  Convent  of  Sandleford  four  messuages, 
144  acres  of  land,  20  acres  of  meadow,  12  acres  of  wood, 
and  ten  shillings  rent,  with  appurtenances  in  Newbury. 
To  have  and  to  hold  to  them  and  their  successors  for  ever, 
in  part  satisfaction  of  lands,  tenements,  and  rents  of  the 
value  of  ^^'lO,  which  of  their  own  fee  and  other  (except 
those  held  of  the  King  in  capite)  the  King  by  letters  patent 
granted  to  them  to  acquire.  An  Inquisitio  ad  quod  dam- 
num was  accordingly  held  at  Newbury  on  May  18,  1349, 
when  the  answer  of  the  jury  was  that  of  the  aforesaid 
tenements,  two  messuages  and  six  acres  of  wood  were 
held  of  the  heir  of  Lawrence  de  Hastings,  and  Richard 
la  Zouche  (i.e.  Richard  held  of  him),  by  the  service  of  13.?. 
I  \d.,  paid  to  those  two  yearly  in  equal  portions  ;  and  of 
the  Prior  of  Sandleford  by  the  service  of  8  pence  yearly  ; 
and  of  Oliver  de  Bohun  by  the  service  of  6s.  yearly ;  and 


igo  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

of  the  Prior  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem  in  England  by  the 
service  of  6s.  yearly ;  and  of  Thomas  de  Rous  by  the 
service  of  i  ^s.  4^.  yearly  ;  and  they  (the  heir  of  Lavi^rence, 
Richard  the  Prior,  Oliver  the  Prior,  and  Thomas)  held 
the  same  of  the  King.  And  the  said  two  messuages,  land, 
meadow  and  wood,  were  of  the  true  value  yearly  further 
of  20s.  One  messuage,  30  acres  of  land,  6  acres  of  meadow, 
and  6  acres  of  wood  (of  the  before-mentioned  messuage,  &c.) 
were  held  of  Thomas  de  Rous,  by  the  service  of  2s.  yearly 
and  were  worth  more  per  annum  ^s.;  and  the  same  Thomas 
de  Rous  held  of  the  Earl  of  Hereford  ;  and  the  Earl  of 
the  King.  And  the  residue,  viz.  i  messuage,  14  acres  of 
land  and  2  acres  of  meadow,  and  the  said  ten  shillings 
rent,  were  held  of  Roger  de  Mortimer  and  Nicholas  de 
Cauntelou  (Cantelupe)  by  the  service  of  5J.  yearly,  and 
are  worth  beyond  13J.  per  annum,  and  the  same  Roger 
and  Nicholas  held  the  same  of  the  King. 

The  sum  total  of  the  yearly  value  of  the  said  messuages, 
&c.,  being  thirty-eight  shillings. 

The  jury  added  that, — 

"  Beyond  the  aforesaid  gift  and  assignment"  to  the  Priory  of 
Sandelford  there  remained  to  the  said  John  de  Estbury,  Thomas 
Vikers,  John  atte  Wyle,  and  John  Aylmere  3  carucates  of  land 
and  60  shillings  rent  with  appurtenances  in  Estbury,  Pesemere, 
and  Bright  Walton  in  the  said  County  of  Berks,  which  were  held 
of  John  de  Grave  and  John  D'arches  by  the  service  of  a  penny 
and  a  rose  yearly  for  all  services  ;  and  they  were  worth  beyond 
jC\o  per  annum.  The  lands  and  tenements  so  remaining  being 
sufficient  to  maintain  the  charges  due  for  them  ;  and  the  grantees 
might  be  put  in  assizes,  juries,  &c.,  as  before,  so  that  the  country 
by  their  default  would  not  be  charged  or  aggrieved'." 

Roger  Mortimer,  second  Earl  of  March,  son  of  Edmund, 
and  grandson  of  Roger,  the  first  Earl  of  March,  obtained 
a  reversal  of  the  attainder  of  his  grandfather,  and  died  at 
Rouvray=,  in  Burgundy,  Feb.  26,  1360,  being  the  com- 
mander of  the  English  forces  there.    His  body  was  brought 

'  Chanc.  Inq.,  23  Edw.  III.,  pt.  2,  No.  24. 

•  The  Rouvray  referred  to  is  probably  the  one  in  the  Cote  d'Or,  and  distant 
about  fifty  miles  from  Dijon. 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  151 

over  to  England,  and  buried  in  the  Abbey  of  Wigmore 
with  his  ancestors.  By  Philippa  his  wife,  daughter  of 
William  de  Montacute,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  he  had  two 
sons — Roger,  who  died  in  his  lifetime,  and  Edmund  ;  also 
two  daughters,  viz.  Margaret,  wife  of  Robert  de  Vere,  Earl 
of  Oxford,  and  Margery,  wife  of  John,  Lord  Audley. 

From  an  Inquisitio  post  mortem  taken  at  Thatcham, 
April  19,  34  Edw.  III.  (1360),  we  learn  that  Roger  Mor- 
timer 

"  Died  seized  of  four  knights'  fees,  and  the  third  part  of  a 
knight's  fee,  in  the  county  of  Berks.  But  he  held  no  lands  or 
tenements  in  the  said  county  at  the  time  of  his  death,  because 
long  before,  by  the  King's  license,  he  demised  the  manors  of 
Strettefelde  Mortymer,  Wokefelde  and  Neubury,  to  William, 
Bishop  of  Winchester,  Ralph  Spigurnell,  Knt.,  John  de  Bisshopes- 
ton,  clerk,  John  Laundels  and  John  Gour,  to  have  and  to  hold 
the  same  for  the  term  of  their  natural  lives." 

The  Inquisition  states  that  the  said  Earl  died  Feb.  28 
last  (1359-60);  and  Edmund  his  son,  who  was  aged  eight 
years  at  the  feast  of  the  Purification  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary  last  (February  2,  i3-|f),  was  his  next  heir'. 

One  Inquisition  (Stafford)  says  that  .Roger  died  in 
partibus  transmarinis,  February  26.  The  latter  day  is 
given  by  Inquisition  taken  in  Radnor  Castle.  Moreover, 
another  Inquisition  (Sussex)  gives  Wednesday,  which  was 
February  26.  Again,  the  Inquisition  taken  at  "  Paynes- 
wyke,"  April  25,  1360,  before  the  Escheator  in  cos.  Glou- 
cester, Hereford,  and  March  of  Wales  adjacent,  gives 
February  26.  Here  the  age  of  the  heir  is  made  nine 
years  (novem  written  over  an  erasure). 

The  next  official  record,  in  order  of  date,  relating  to 
Newbury  introduces  us  to  Sir  Richard  de  Abberbury,  the 
guardian  of  King  Richard  II.  in  his  minority,  and  the 
founder  of  the  Maison  Dieu,  or  hospital,  at  Donnington, 
in  1393,  and  also  of  a  House  of  Maturine  Friars  of  the 
Order  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  known  as  Donnington  Priory, 
about  the  same  time.     He  also  built  anew  and  crenel- 

'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  34  Edw.  III.,  No.  86. 


152  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

lated  Donnington  Castle,  by  the  King's  license,  which  is 
dated  at  Henley,  June  11,  1385. 

On  July  3,  39  Edw.  III.  (1365),  a  jury  was  summoned 
at  Newbury  to  enquire  if  it  would  be  to  the  detriment  of 
the  King,  or  of  any  others,  if  Sir  Richard  de  Abberbury 
should  give  and  assign  six  messuages,  one  carucate  and 
a  half  of  land,  and  ten  shillings  rent,  with  appurtenances 
in  Newbury,  Donyngton,  and  East  Henrethe  (East  Hen- 
dred),  to  two  chaplains  to  celebrate  divine  service  every 
day  "  for  ever,"  in  a  chapel  at  Donyngton  to  be  newly 
built  ("  in  quadam  Capella  apud  Donyngton  per  ipsum  de 
novo  construenda")  by  him,  for  the  healthy  estate  of  the 
said  Richard  while  living,  and  for  his  soul  when  he  shall 
have  departed  this  life,  and  for  the  souls  of  his  ancestors, 
and  of  all  the  faithful  departed. 

The  verdict  of  the  jury  was  favourable,  and  they  stated 
that  four  of  the  six  messuages  were  in  Newbury,  and  two 
of  them  were  held  by  the  yearly  rent  of  2S.  o\d.,  of  John 
de  Rous,  who  held  them  of  the  King  in  capite ;  and  they 
were  worth  beyond  the  rent  aforesaid  2s.  per  annum.  A 
third  messuage  of  the  four  was  held  by  2\d.  rent  of 
Nicholas  de  Cantilupe,  who  held  it  of  the  King  in  capite ; 
and  it  was  worth  beyond  the  said  rent  2s.  per  annum. 
The  fourth  messuage  was  held  of  the  Earl  of  "  Penne- 
broke  "  (Pembroke),  and  Wm.  la  Zouche  by  the  payment 
yearly  of  I2d.,  and  was  worth  beyond  that  rent  I2d.  per 
annum.  The  fifth  messuage  and  one  carucate  of  land 
were  in  Donyngton,  and  were  held  by  knight's  service 
of  the  lord  of  the  Honour  of  Walyngford,  who  held 
of  the  King  in  capite,  and  worth  per  annum  in  all  is- 
sues \os.  The  sixth  messuage,  consisting  of  land  and 
rent,  was  in  East  Hendred,  and  held  by  \os.  rent  of 
the  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  who  held  of  the  King  in  chief, 
and  they  were  worth  beyond  that  rent  \os.  per  annum. 
The  jury  add  that  there  remained  to  Sir  Richard  Abber- 
bury beyond  the  aforesaid  gift  and  assignment  the  Manor 
of  Donyngton,  which  was  held  of  the  lord  of  the  Honour 
of  Walyngford  by  knight's  service,  and  was  worth  per 
annum  in  all  issues  ten  pounds  ;  and  it  was  sufficient  to 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  153 

sustain  all  charges,  &c.,  so  that  the  country  by  the  said 
gift  and  assignment,  in  default  of  the  said  Sir  Richard, 
would  not  be  unduly  charged  or  aggrieved". 

On  October  9,  48  Edw.  III.  (1374),  an  inquisitio  post 
mortem  was  taken  at  Newbury  before  Oliver  de  Harnham, 
the  Escheator  in  the  county  of  Berks,  respecting  the  estate 
of  Thomas  de  Rous,  who  died  on  Saturday  after  the  Feast 
of  St.  Stephen  the  Martyr,  in  the  32nd  year  of  the  King 
(Dec.  29,  1358).  The  jury  say  that  Thomas  de  Rous  held 
no  lands  or  tenements  of  the  King  ?«  capite ;  but  that  he 
held  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  fee,  £6  i^s.  4d.  rent  of 
assize  in  Newebury,  but  of  whom  held,  or  by  what  service, 
they  know  not.  Robert  de  Kendall,  Chivaler,  and  Maud 
his  wife,  have  received  the  said  rent  from  the  time  of  the 
death  of  the  said  Thomas  de  Rous,  and  still  continued  to 
receive  it,  but  by  what  title  the  jurors  cannot  say.  Juliana 
was  daughter  and  heir  of  Thomas  de  Rous,  and  aged  twenty 
years  at  the  date  of  the  Inquisition  ^  A  small  strip  of 
parchment  attached  to  this  file  of  Inquisitions  appears  to 
shew  that  Andrew  Herle  was  husband  of  the  before-named 
Juliana.  (The  Inquisitions  for  the  counties  of  Gloucester 
and  Hereford  are  also  to  the  same  effect.) 

The  next  name  we  meet  with  is  one  very  familiar  in  our 
county  history — that  of  John  de  Estbury,  who  was  seized 
at  the  time  of  his  decease,  about  the  Feast  of  SS.  Simon 
and  Jude  (Oct.  28,  1374),  of  a  messuage  with~curtilage  in 
Nywebery,  which  he  held  of  the  Earl  of  Pembroke  and 
March  by  2s.  yearly  rent.  He  also  held,  jointly  with 
Thomas  his  son,  then  surviving,  4  messuages,  6  curtilages, 
and  10  acres  of  land  in  "Niwebury,  Spene,  and  Spenham- 
londe,"  whereof  2  messuages,  3  curtilages,  and  10  acres  of 
land  were  held  of  the  Earl  of  March  and  William  de  Rous 
by  the  service  of  2s:  per  annum  ;  which  were  worth  beyond 
that  service  6s.  8d.  per  annum.  The  2  other  messuages 
and  3  curtilages  were  held  of  the  Earl  of  Pembroke  and 
William  la  Zouche  by  the  yearly  service  of  20<^.,  and  were 
worth  beyond  that  service  3J-.  4d.  per  annum.     He  held 

»  Chanc.  Inq.  ad  q.  d.,  39  Edw.  III.,  No.  29. 
"  Ibid.  p.  m.,  48  Edw.  III.,  No.  59. 


154  Newbury  in  tJie  Fourteenth  Century. 

also  jointly  with  Thomas  his  son  I2s.  6d.  yearly  rent  and 
a  ^th  part  of  a  water-mill  in  Newbury  of  the  Count  of 
Perchey  by  knight's  service,  and  the  said  13th  part  was 
worth  per  annum  3i-.  John  de  Estbury,  elder  son  of  said 
John,  aged  28  years,  was  his  next  heir^- 

An  Inquisition  was  taken  at  Eastbury,  co.  Berks,  on 
October  31,  49  Edw.  III.  (1375),  on  the  death  of  Kathe- 
rine,  widow  of  John  de  Estbury  the  elder,  deceased,  when 
it  was  found  that  she  held  in  dower  [inter  alia)  a  third 
part  of  a  messuage  in  Newbury  of  the  Earl  of  March  by 
the  rent  of  2s.,  which  was  worth  nothing  beyond  the  same. 
Katherine  died  on  Wednesday  before  the  Feast  of 
St.  Lawrence  last  past  (August  8,  I37S)>  and  John  de 
Estbury,  "  senior,"  was  her  heir,  and  aged  29  years  \ 

Edmund  Mortimer,  third  Earl  of  March,  and  heir  of 
Roger  Mortimer  who  died  in  1360,  succeeded  his  father, 
and  thus  acquired  with  his  other  estates  the  manor  of 
Newbury.  He  married  Philippa,  daughter  and  heir  of 
Lionel,  Duke  of  Clarence,  third  son  of  Edward  III.,  by 
which  alliance  he  acquired  the  third  part  of  the  earldom 
of  Gloucester,  together  with  the  county  of  Ulster,  and  do- 
minion of  Connaught  in  Ireland.  He  died  Dec.  27,  1381, 
and  left  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  viz.  Roger,  his 
successor ;  Sir  Edmund,  who  married  the  daughter  of 
Owen  Glendowr  ;  and  Sir  John,  who,  the  3rd  of  Henry  VI., 
having  been  arraigned  in  Parliament  for  treasonable 
speeches,  was  sentenced  to  be  hanged  and  beheaded  ; 
which  was  executed  accordingly.  Elizabeth,  the  eldest 
daughter,  married  Henry  Percy,  surnamed  Hotspur ;  and 
Philippa,  the  youngest,  married,  first,  John,  Earl  of  Pem^ 
broke ;  secondly,  Richard,  Earl  of  Arundel ;  and  thirdly, 
John  Poynings,  Lord  St.  John. 


y  It  is  evident  from  the  above  that  although  the  manor  of  Newbury  passed 
from  the  Counts  of  Perche,  of  the  family  of  Rotrbu,  soon  after  the  death  of 
Thomas,  slain  at  Lincoln  in  1217,  their  successors,  the  Counts  of  Alencon 
and  Perche,  still  retained  an  interest  in  the  Mills  of  Newbury. 

^  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  48  Edw.  III.,  No.  22.  The  writ  for  this  Inquisition, 
which  was  taken  at  Lamborne,  co.  Berks,  is  dated  Nov.  10,  48  Edw.  III., 
(1374).     The  lower  part  of  this  document  is  much  faded. 

"  Ibid.,  49  Edw.  III.,  pt.  I,  No.  44. 


Newbury  in  tJie  Fourteenth  Century.  155 

On  February  10,  5  Ric.  II.  (1381-2),  an  Inquisitio  post 
■mortem,  on  the  death  of  Edmund  Mortimer,  was  taken 
at  Newbury,  when  it  was  proved  that  at  the  time  of  his 
decease  he  held  no  lands  or  tenements  of  the  King  or 
others  in  the  county  of  Berks,  because  long  before  his 
death  he  demised  by  deed  his  lordship,  lands,  tenements, 
rents  and  services,  with  all  their  appurtenances  in  New- 
bury, to  Sir  John  Lovel,  knt.,  to  hold  for  life  of  the  chief 
lords  of  the  fee  without  yielding  anything  to  himself  (the 
Earl)  or  his  heirs.  Mention  is  made  of  a  demise  of  the 
manors  of  Strattefelde-Mortymer  and  Woghfelde  (Woke- 
field)  to  Wm.  Latimer,  of  Danby,  knt.,  and  others  for 
lives,  with  reversion  to  himself  and  his  heirs.  Roger  Mor- 
timer, his  son,  aged  nine  years,  was  his  next  heir^. 

Sir  John  Lovel,  who  was  a  Knight  of  the  Garter,  and 
to  whom  the  manor  of  Newbury  was  assigned  for  life  by 
Edmund  Mortimer,  served  with  distinction  in  the  .wars 
with  France ;  and  in  the  time  of  Richard  II.,  when  the 
.great  discontent  arose  amongst  the  nobility,  by  reason  of 
the  King  being  so  swayed  by  Robert  de  Vere,  Duke  of 
Ireland,  and  others,  he  espoused  the  popular  party,  but 
afterwards  fell  off  from  that  side  to  the  King,  and  became 
one  of  those  they  expelled  the  Court.  The  time  of  his 
death  is  uncertain,  but  the  probate  of  his  will  bears  date 
September  12,  1408. 

Roger,  next  Earl  of  March,  was  shortly  after  his  father's 
death,  in  the  Parhament  held  9th  Richard  II.,  declared 
heir  apparent  to  the  Crown,  by  reason  of  his  descent  from 
Lionel,  Duke  of  Clarence,  and  the  20th  and  21st  Richard  II. 
was  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Ireland.  He  was  slain  at  Kenles  in 
1398.  By  Alianor,  his  wife,  daughter  of  Thomas  Holland, 
Earl  of  Kent,  sister  of  Thomas,  Duke  of  Surrey,  and  sister 
and  co-heir  of  Edmund,  Earl  of  Kent,  he  had  issue,  Ed- 
mund, his  son  and  heir ;  Roger,  who  died  s.  p. ;  also  two 
daughters,  Anne,  who  married  Richard,  Earl  of  Cambridge, 
younger  son  to  Edmund,  Duke  of  York  (fifth  son  of  Ed- 
ward III.),  and  Alianor,  who  married  Edward,  son  of 
Edward  Courtenay,  Earl  of  Devon. 

>>  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  5.  Ric.  II, ,  No.  2. 


156  Neivbuiy  iii  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

An  Inquisition  was  taken  at  '  Wantynge '  (Wantage)  on 
Saturday  before  the  Feast  of  St.  Michael,  14  Richard  II. 
(September  25,  1390),  on  the  death  of  John  de  Hastings, 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  the  second  earl  of  that  family.  The 
jury,  among  whom  were — Richard  Shawe,  Alexander 
Burgeys,  Henry  Chadleworth,  and  John  Sideneye,  of  New- 
bury, reported  that  there  were  no  lands  or  tenements  by 
the  death  of  Anne  (wife  of  the  said  John  de  Hastings,  and 
daughter  and  heir  of  Walter,  Baron  Manny),  named  in  the 
writ,  of  the  inheritance  of  John,  son  of  John  de  Hastings, 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  but  by  reason  of  the  minority  of  the 
said  John,  his  estate  came  into  the  hands  of  the  new  King, 
or  are  now  in  his  hands.  The  said  John,  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, was  formerly  seized  in  fee  of  the  manor  of  Benham, 
and  of  certain  lands  and  tenements  in  "Nubury"  and  in 
Spene,  and  by  his  Charter  gave  them  to  Walter  Amyas, 
John  Abraham,  John  Donne,  John  Pratt,  David  Parkyn, 
clerks,  Ralph  Walsham,  and  Thomas  Cryklade,  their  heirs 
and  assigns,  simply  and  without  condition.  By  virtue  of 
which  gift  the  said  feoffees  in  the  lifetime  of  the  said  Earl 
were,  seized  thereof;  and  all  the  tenants  of  the  said  manor, 
and  also  of  the  lands  and  tenements  aforesaid  allowed  to 
them.  The  said  feoffees  continued  their  estate  therein  long 
after  the  death  of  the  Earl,  until  the  above-said  Walter, 
John,  Abraham,  John  Donne,  John  Pratt,  and  Ralph,  after 
the  death  of  the  said  David  and  Thomas,  assigned  the  said 
manor,  lands,  and  tenements  to  the  said  Anne  to  hold  in 
dower ;  and  she  died  seized  of  such  estate.  After  her 
death  the  manor,  &c.,  ought  to  have  reverted  to  the 
feoffees ;  instead  of  which  the  King  caused  them  to  be 
seized  into  his  hands,  but  by  what  title  the  jurors  know 
not.  The  said  Anne  held  no  other  lands,  &c.,  in  the  same 
county.  The  lands  and  tenements  in  "  Nubury  and  Spene  " 
were  held  of  the  King  in  capite  (but  by  what  service  is  not 
known),  and  are  worth  per  annum  (clear)  £^. 

John,  son  of  John  de  Hastings,  died  December  30  last 
(1389),  and  who  is  his  next  heir,  or  of  what  age,  the  jurors 
know  not".     This  John  de  Hastings,  third  Earl  of  Pem- 
'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  13  Ric.  II.,  No.  30  (m.  13). 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteentli  Century.  iS7 

broke  of  this  creation,  did  not  live  to  obtain  livery  of  his 
lands.  On  December  13,  1389,  at  the  age  of  seventeen, 
while  practising  tilting  in  Woodstock  Park  with  Sir  John 
St.  John,  a  young  knight  of  his  own  age,  at  the  time  of 
the  Christmas  Carnivals,  he  received  an  unlucky  blow  in 
a  vital  part,  an  accident  which  shortly  afterwards  proved 
fatal.  "  The  loss  of  this  Earl,"  says  Holinshed,  "  was 
greatly  bemoaned  by  men  of  all  degrees,  for  he  was 
liberal,  gentle,  humble,  and  courteous  to  each  one,  above 
all  the  other  young  lords  in  the  land  of  his  time."  Young 
as  he  was  he  left  a  widow,  Philippa,  daughter  of  the  Earl 
of  March,  who  married  as  her  second  husband  Richard, 
Earl  of  Arundel.  The  Earl  of  Pembroke  had  no  issue, 
and  with  him  the  earldom,  for  the  third  time,  became 
extinct.  After  the  lapse  of  four  centuries,  the  abeyance 
of  the  ancient  barony  of  Hastings  was  determined  in  fa- 
vour of  Sir  Jacob  Astley,  who  was  summoned  to  Parlia- 
ment by  writ,  as  Baron  HASTINGS,  May  18,  1841. 

On  June  8,  1396,  being  Thursday  before  the  Feast  of 
St.  Barnabas,  Apostle,  19  Ric.  II.,  an  Inquisition  was  taken 
at  Nieubury,  before  Thomas  Rothewell,  Escheator,  on  the 
death  of  .William  la  Zouche  of  Haryngworth,  in  which  it 
is  stated  that  the  deceased  held  no  lands  or  tenements 
in  the  county  of  Berks,  but  Richard  la  Zouche  held  for  the 
term  of  his  life  in  the  town  of  Nieubury  divers  lands  and 
tenements  by  the  gift  of  William  la  Zouche,  father  of  the 
William  named  in  the  writ,  the  reversion  thereof  belonging 
to  the  aforesaid  William  and  his  heirs,  which  are  worth 
per  annum  according  to  their  true  value  four  marks,  and 
were  held  of  the  Earl  of  March,  but  by  what  service  it  is 
not  known. 

William  la  Zouche  died  on  Saturday  before  the  Feast  of 
St.  Dunstan,  viz.  13  May  last  (1396);  and  William  la 
Zouche,  aged  twenty-three  years,  is  his  son  and  next  heir  '^. 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  William  la  Zouche,  held  in  dower 
of  the  inheritance  of  William  la  Zouche  (the  son)  26s.  8d. 
arising   from  divers  tenements  in  Newbury,  held  of  the 

''  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  19  Ric.  II.,  No.  52. 


158  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

King  in  socage  by  fealty  for  all  service.     The  said  Eliz- 
abeth died  on  the  Feast  of  St.  Hugh,  Nov.  17,  1425  «. 

William  la  Zouche,  called  William,  Lord  Zouche  of  Tot- 
neys,  obtained  license  to  crenellate  his  manor-house  at 
Haryngworth,  co.  Northamptori,  in  loth  Richard  II.  The 
following  year  he  was  banished  the  Court,  as  one  of  the 
evil  counsellors  of  the  King  (Richard  II.).  By  some  in- 
quisitions he  was  found  to  be  next  heir  of  John  de  Has- 
tings, Earl  of  Pembroke,  as  descended  from  Eudo  la  Zouche, 
who  married  Milicent,  widow  of  Robert  de  Montalt,  and 
one  of  the  sisters  and  coheirs  of  George  de  Cantilupe,  baron 
of  Bergavenny. 

The  younger  William  la  Zouche,  mentioned  in  the 
Inquisition  as  twenty-three  years  of  age  at  the  date  of  his 
father's  death,  was  much  in  favour  with  Henry  IV.,  and 
for  his  good  services  had  a  grant  of  ;^ioo  a  year  out  of 
the  Exchequer.  He  served  in  the  wars  of  France,  and 
was  one  of  the  ambassadors  to  the  French  King,  and  lieu- 
tenant of  Calais.  He  had  summons  to  Parliament  from 
the  20th  Richard  II.  to  the  2nd  Henry  V.,  and  died  the 
following  year,  1415. 

The  next  step  in  our  manorial  history  brings  into  con- 
nection with  Newbury  the  illustrious  name  of  RICHARD 
Fitz-Alan,  loth  Earl  of  Arundel,  and  Earl  of  Warren 
and  Surrey,  the  eldest  son  of  Richard  Fitz-Alan,  the  9th 
earl.  He  was  a  Knight  of  the  Garter,  temp.  Richard  II., 
also  Admiral  and  Captain-General  of  the  Fleet ;  and  ob- 
tained a  memorable  sea  victory  over  the  Flemings,  French, 
and  Spaniards,  and  destroyed  the  French  forts  at  Brest. 
He  was  a  great  opponent  of  the  King's  favourites,  and  one 
of  a  numerous  body  of  noblemen  who  met  and  armed  at 
Haringhay  Park  (now  Hornsey)  in  Middlesex,  to  remove 
those  enemies  to  the  commonwealth ;  a  pacification  en- 
sued which  ended  in  the  ruin  of  several  of  those  who  had 
misguided  the  King.  After  this,  however,  the  Duke  of 
Lancaster  charging  Arundel  with  a  designed  insurrection, 
and  the  King  having  conceived  an  implacable  hatred  to- 
wards him  for  his  activeness  against  his  favourites,  he  was 
'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  4  Hen.  VI.,  No.  7. 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  159 

decoyed  into  the  King's  power,  imprisoned,  tried,  and  con- 
demned to  be  hanged,  drawn,  and  quartered  for  treason. 
The  sentence  was  somewhat  mitigated  ;  and  he  was  only 
beheaded,  in  Cheapside,  21  Richard  II.  (1397),  the  King 
himself  being  a  spectator,  and  Thomas  de  Mowbray,  Earl 
Marshal  (who  had  married  his  daughter),  the  executioner, 
who  bound  up  his  eyes,  and,  as  some  write,  the  person 
who'  actually  cut  off  his  head  \  His  first  wife  was  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  to  William  de  Bohun,  Earl  of  North- 
ampton ;  and  he  married,  secondly,  Philippa,  daughter  of 
Edmund  Mortimer,  Earl  of  March,  and  widow  of  John 
de  Hastings,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  by  which  marriage  he 
acquired  an  interest  in  the  manor  of  Newbury. 

On  December  13,  21  Ric.  II.,  1397,  an  Inquisitio post  mor- 
tem taken  at  "  Nieubury,"  before  Thomas  Rothewell,  Es- 
cheator,  shews  that  Richard,  Earl  of  Arundel,  held  at  the 
time  of  his  death  as  of  the  dower  of  Philippa  his  wife  (who 
was  then  living),  of  the  lands,  tenements,  knights'  fees,  and 
advowsons  of  churches,  which  were  of  "John  de  Has- 
tyngges,"  late  Earl  of  Pembroke  (formerly  husband  of  Phil- 
ippa), and  fell  to  her,  the  Manor  of  Benham,  with  other 
lands  and  tenements  in  the  said  town  of  "  Nieubury ;" 
which  were  held  of  the  King  in  capite  by  knight's  service, 
and  worth  in  all  issues  beyond  reprise  £1^;  whereof  in 
rent  of  assize  £12,  and  from  other  demesne  lands  and 
other  profits  £1,  to  be  paid  equally  at  Easter  and  Michael- 
mas. The  jurors  further  state  that  Richard,  Earl  of  Arun- 
del, died  (beheaded)  on  Friday,  the  Feast  of  St.  Matthew 
the  Apostle  last  past  (September  21,  1397),  and  that  John 
Bacon  has  occupied  and  still  occupies  the  said  manor, 
lands,  and  tenements,  but  by  what  title  they  know  not  ?. 

The  estates  of  the  Earl  of  Arundel  were  shared  among 
the  royal  favourites  (two  of  them  were  his  sons-in-law). 
The  Earl  was  buried  in  the  church  of  the  Augustin  Friars 
in  London,  and  being  a  popular  favourite,  reports  were 
spread  of  miracles  being  wrought  at  his  tomb. 

'  This  allegation  is  denied  by  Carte,  and  is  most  probably  unjust, 
s  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  21  Ric.  II.,  No.  2. 


i6o  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century, 

INCIDENTS  CONNECTED  WITH  NEWBURY. 
King  Edward  II.  at  Newbury. 

King  Edward  II.,  surnamed  "of  Carnarvon,"  paid  a  visit 
to  Newbury  in  1308,  and  his  signature  to  public  docu- 
ments shews  the  other  places  where  he  tarried  on  his 
journeys ;  thus : — 

1308,  June  16,  Reading — Windsor. 
„        „     17,  Marlborough. 
,,         „     18,  Newbury. 
„        „     19,  Marlborough  and  Hungerford. 

The  King  was  again  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Newbury 
in  1320,  as  appears  from  the  "Itinerary;"  and  on  this 
occasion  he  visited  Sandleford  Priory  and  Highclere : — 

1320,  Aug.  23,  Yethampstead  (Easthampstead). 
„     24,  Windsor. 
„     25,  Odiham. 
„     28,  Polhampton. 
„     29  &  30,  Crookham. 
„     31,  Sandleford. 

Sept.  2,  Bishop's  Clere  (Highclere). 

132 1,  Dec.  12,  Windsor — Aldermaston. 
,,     13,  Reading — Newbury. 
„     15,  Chilton. 

Six  years  later,  in  1327,  "Edward  of  Carnarvon"  was 
deposed  by  his  subjects,  and  inhumanly  murdered  in 
Berkeley  Castle. 

Further  Grants  to  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital. 

Already  in  a  previous  chapter  the  existence  of  St. 
Bartholomew's  Hospital  has  been  noted,  and  this,  the- 
fourteenth  century,  brings  us  within  the  date  of  two  fur- 
ther grants  to  this  institution,  and  if  they  add  but  little 
to  the  history  of  the  hospital  itself,  they  furnish  us  with 
the  names  of  two  other  of  its  benefactors,  with  a  description 
of  their  gifts,  by  which  we  are  enabled  to  identify  certain 
properties  still  belonging  to  this  foundation. 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  i6i 

The  first  document  is  a  grant  by  John  le  Frankelayn 
circa  A.D.  1302,  in  which  year  Nicolas  de  Everington, 
one  of  the  witnesses,  was  a  Representative  in  Parliament 
for  the  Borough  of  Newbury,  and  runs  as  follows  : — 

"  To  all  the  Faithful  of  Christ  who  shall  see  or  hear  this  present 
writing,  John  de  Frankelayn  greeting  in  the  Lord.  Know  that 
I  have  released,  granted,  and  quitclaimed  to  Sir  Henry  Warden 
of  the  House  of  St.  Bartholomew  of  Newbury  and  his  successors, 
all  the  right  and  claim  that  I  had  or  in  any  manner  could  have, 
by  reason  of  inheritance  or  any  other  right,  in  one  acre  and  a  half 
of  arable  land.  Whereof  half  an  acre  lies  in  the  field  of  Wodes- 
penes,  against  Spenes  Mill,  and  the  two  other  half  acres  of  the 
same  lie  in  the  same  field  between  Spenes  Mill  and  the  road  which 
extends  from  Spenes  to  Bagenore  Mill.  Also,  in  the  third  part 
of  one  croft  which  lies  between  the  croft  which  belonged  to 
Alexander  Pinel  and  the  croft  which  is  called  Le  Leze.  So  that 
for  the  future  neither  I,  the  said  John,  nor  my  heirs,  nor  any  one 
by  me  or  for  me,  shall  be  able  to  exact  or  ought  to  claim  from 
the  said  Sir  Henry  any  right  or  claim  in  the  said  land  with  its 
appurtenances,  by  reason  of  inheritance  or  any  other  succession. 
For  this  release,  grant  and  quitclaim  the  said  Sir  Henry  has  given 
me  one  mark  of  silver  before  hand  as  a  fine.  In  witness  of  which 
thing  my  seal  is  appended  to  these  presents.  With  these  witnesses, 
John  de  Schaldeford,  Roger  Luvekyn,  John  de  Wobum,  Henry 
Rioth,  John  at  the  Wite  "Walle,  Nicolas  de  Everenton '',  John  de 
Hamulle,  William  Tristram,  John  le  Champ,  Richard  at  the  Drove, 
Robt.  le  Frankelan,  John  de  Sandevil,  elk.,  and  many  others." 

The  second  of  these  is  a  grant  by  Edmund  de  la 
Bulhuse  of  land  in  Eastfields,  Newbury,  circa  a.d.  131  i, 
in  which  year  Thomas  de  Sandleford,  one  of  the  witnesses, 
was  Prior  of  that  House.     It  is  as  follows  : — 

"  Be  it  known  to  all  the  faithful  of  Christ  to  whose  notice  the 
present  letters  may  come,  that  I,  Edmund  de  la  Bulehuse,  son 
and  heir  of  Laurencia  de  la  Bulehuse,  have  granted,  remitted,  and 
quitclaimed  for  me  and  my  heirs  or  assigns  for  ever  to  Sir  Henry, 


I"  Everington,  the  place  from  which  this  family  derived  its  name,  is  a  manor 
in  the  parish  of  Yattendon.  It  vifill  be  observed  that  Nicolas  de  Eveiynton 
was  one  of  the  jurors  in  1301  (see  p.  135),  and  Thomas  de  Everynton  signs  a 
charter  circa  1260  (see  p.  131)- 

M 


1 62  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

Prior  of  S.  Bartholomew  of  Newbury,  and  his  successors,  and  the 
brethren  of  that  house,  my  whole  right  and  claim  which  I  had 
or  in  any  manner  could  have  by  name  of  inheritance  or  of  any 
other  right,  in  three  acres  of  arable  land,  which  lie  in  the  fields 
of  Newbury,  which  Reginald  de  Blubyr'  held  and  had  by  gift  of 
John  de  Waneting',  formerly  husband  of  Laurencia  my  mother. 
So  that  for  the  future  neither  I,  the  said  Eadmund,  nor  my  heirs, 
nor  my  assigns,  nor  any  one  by  me  or  for  me,  shall  be  able  to 
exact  or  ought  to  claim  from  the  said  Sir  Henry  and  his  suc- 
cessors, and  the  brothers  'of  the  same  house  any  right  or  claim 
by  name  of  inheritance  or  in  any  other  manner  in  the  said  three 
acres  of  land  with  their  appurtenances.  For  this  grant,  release, 
and  quitclaim  the  foresaid  Sir  Henry  gave  me  two  marks  of 
silver  before  hand  as  a  fine.  In  witness  of  which  thing  I  have 
placed  my  seal  to  this  present.  With  these  witnesses,  Ric.  de 
Kanne,  then  baihfif  of  Newbury,  Thos.  the  Tanner,  John  de 
Berborne,  Thes.  le  Selyr ',  Wm.  de  Cham',  Wm.  Puperd,  Nic.  de 
Everenton,  John  le  Cur,  John  de  Gareford,  Thos.  de  Sandelford, 
Ralph  Thoky,  John  the  Clerk,  and  many  others." 

The  following  appointments  of  Priors  or  Masters  to  the 
Hospital  in  the  fourteenth  century  are  extracted  from  the 
Episcopal  Registers  at  Salisbury  : — 

"  13T4.  May  3rd.  John  of  Gloucester,  Priest,  was  admitted 
to  the  custody  and  made  Custodian  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  Bartho- 
lomew at  Newbury,  on  the  presentation  of  the  Commonalty  of 
that  place." — Reg.  Gandavo,  p.  134. 

"  1333-  Ju^y  i6th.  Richard  Orsett,  Priest,  was  admitted  to 
the  custody  and  made  Custodian  of  the  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartho- 
lomew at  Newbury,  on  the  presentation  of  the  Commonalty  of 
that  town." — Reg.  Wyvill,  ii.  p.  22. 

"  "^l)!)^-  June  7th.  John  le  Sone  was  admitted  Custodian  of 
the  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  at  Newbury,  on  the  presenta- 
tion of  the  Commonalty  of  that  town." — Reg.  Wyvill,  ii.  p.  58. 

"  1348.  May  22nd.  Thomas,  the  son  of  Henry,  the  Vicar  of 
Aldermanston,  was  admitted  Custodian  of  the  Hospital  of  Saint 
Bartholomew  at  Newbury,  on  the  resignation  of  John  le  Sone,  on 

Thomas  le  Seler,  one  of  the  jurors  1301  (see  p.  135) ;  as  also  William 
Puperd  and  Nicholas  de  Everyngton.  John  le  Cur  was  probably  a  relative 
of  Robert  and  Simon  le  Cour,  in  the  same  document.  Curr  is  a  name  still  to 
be  found  in  Newbury. 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  163 

the  presentation  of  the  Commonalty  of  that  town." — Reg.  Wyvill, 
ii.  p.  184. 

"  1354-  John  Hume  of  Ffilkyncham  (?  FilHngham,  co.  Lin- 
coln), was  admitted  to  the  custody  of  the  Priory  of  Saint  Bartho- 
lomew at  Newbury,  and  instituted  Custodian  or  Prior,  on  presen- 
tation of  the  Commonalty  of  the  town." — Reg.  Wyvill,  ii.  p.  270. 

"  1362.  May  6th.  Michael  Laweles,  Priest,  was  admitted  to 
the  custody  of  the  Hospital  of  Newbury,  on  the  presentation  of 
the  Commonalty  of  the  town,  though  on  Inquisition  the  right  was 
found  to  have  lapsed  to  the  Bishop."^ — Reg.  Wyvill,  ii.  p.  296. 

"  1381.  June  22nd.  Henry  Pake,  Priest,  was  admitted  Cus- 
todian of  the  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  at  Newbury,  after 
the  resignation  of  Stephen  the  last  Custodian,  on  the  presenta- 
tion of  the  Commonalty  of  the  town." — Reg.  Ergham,  p.  42. 

The  institution  of  Prior  Stephen  is  not  recorded. 

"  1384.  February  25th.  Thomas  Whyston,  Rector  of  Hanyng- 
ton  in  the  Diocese  of  Lincoln,  was  admitted  Custodian  of  the 
Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  at  Newbury,  in  exchange  of  Bene- 
fice with  Henry  Pake." — Reg.  Ergham,  p.  66. 

Hannington,  near  Wellingborough,  Northampton,  now 
in  the  Diocese  of  Peterborough,  is  apparently  the  place 
referred  to.  The  Bishoprics  of  Peterborough  and  Oxford 
were  taken  out  of  the  Diocese  of  Lincoln,  temp.  King 
Henry  VIIL 

"1385.  December  5th.  Henry  Hales,  Rector  of  Castle- 
ford  in  the  Diocese  of  York,  was  admitted  Custodian  of  the  Hos- 
pital of  Saint  Bartholomew  at  Newbury,  on  the  presentation  of 
the  Commonalty  of  the  town  in  exchange  of  Benefice  with  Thomas 
Whyston." — Reg.  Ergham,  p.  71. 

"  1391.  July  14th.  Roger  Russell,  Priest,  was  instituted  to 
the  Chapel  of  Saint  Bartholomew  of  Newbury,  on  the  presenta- 
tion of  the  Commonalty  of  the  town." — Reg.  Waltham,  p.  45. 

The  "Troyte  de  Neubury"  in  the  Fourteenth 
Century. 

There  is  preserved  in  the  Douce  Collection  in  the  Bod- 
leian Library  a  MS.^  evidently  temp.  Edward  IL  (1307 — 

>■  Bodl.  Lib.  MS.  Douce,  No.  98.     Printed  in  the  Gentleman's  Mag.,  vol. 
ccxii.,  Jan.,  1862. 

M  2 


164  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

1327),  which,  besides  various  tables  relating  to  the  Eccle- 
siastical and  Civil  divisions  of  the  country,  and  other 
similar  matters,  contains  a  list  of  over  100  towns  with  the 
affix  of  what  they  were  celebrated  for.  We  find  Newbury 
mentioned  among  the  following  group  : — 

Symonels  da  Wycombe. 
Wastel  de  Hungerford. 
Troyte  de  Neubury. 
Coverchef  de  Schaftesbury. 
Wymple  de  Lewes. 

The  question  is  what  was  Newbury  celebrated  for  in 
Edward  II.'s  reign  .■'  At  first  sight  it  might  naturally  be 
supposed  that  the  Kennet  trout'^,  "pink  as  salmon  and 
game  as  pheasants,"  for  which  Newbury  is  justly  famous 
are  alluded  to.  But  it  may  be  noted  that  a  few  lines 
further  back  the  reference  to  places  remarkable  for  fish 
are  all  carefully  grouped  together.  The  writer  is,  how- 
ever, not  very  methodical.  He  has  given  the  plains  of 
Salisbury,  the  Close  (encloystr)  of  Lichfield,  and  then 
proceeds  with  the  Yarmouth  herrings,  Winchelsea  plaice, 
and  Rye  "  merlings,"  &c.,  down  to  Bedford  "  ruffs."  Then 
comes  the  Chelmsford  (or  possibly  Kempsford)  trespas ; 
this  is  quite  bafiling,  but  Wycombe  "  symonels,"  i.  e. 
simnels,  a  cake  or  bun  made  of  fine  or  the  best  flour,  and 
Hungerford  "wastels,"  i.e.  a  httle  cake  made  of  the  second 
best  quality  of  flour,  can  be  readily  understood  ".  Then 
comes  the  crux  of  the  Newbury  "  Troyte,"  the  Shaftes- 
bury "  Coverchef,"  and  the  Lewes  "  Wymple,"  followed  by 
the  Shrewsbury  "  Pelerine"  (which  is  thought  may  be  a  tip- 
pet, the  French  word  being  still  in  use),  and  the  Tilbury 
"  Passage,"  which  may  refer  to  the  ferry  at  that  place. 

From  the  juxtaposition  of  the  word  "Troyte"  to  the 
"  Coverchef,"  it  was  suggested  by  Mr.  Thomas  Wright  that 
it  referred  to  some  kind  of  cloth  ;  but  no  word  of  the  kind 

'  Diicange  gives  both  troita  and  troite  as  used  for  trout  in  medieval 
documents. 

"  The  best  quality  of  flour  or  bread  being  termed  Simnel,  the  second  best 
Wastelle,  and  the  third  Cocket  (Cacholicon  AngUcum),  or,  as  we  say  now, 
"Firsts,"  "Seconds,"  and  "Households." 


Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century.  165 

seems  to  have  been  discovered.  It  is  just  possible,  however, 
finding  as  we  do  the  particular  speciality  for  which  New- 
bury was  then  known,  following  the  cakes  of  Wycombe 
and  Hungerford,  that  the  word  may  be  read  as  signifying 
Trozvtt,  a  rustic  word  still  in  use  signifying  curds  taken  off 
the  whey  when  it  is  boiled,  in  some  places  called  trotters 
(Ray's  Glossary).  At  the  present  day  there  is  a  favourite 
kind  of  custard  made  in  Newbury  which  the  country  people 
call  "  Cow-pudding,"  which  may  be  a  survival  of  the 
trowtt  or  custard  of  the  fourteenth  century.  Speaking 
of  custards  in  connection  with  Newbury,  in  the  Bagford 
Ballads,  part  iv.  pp.  861—867,  there  is  given  a  ditty  from 
an  Ashmolean  broadside,  printed  for  Charles  Corbet,  1684, 
headed  "Strange  and  Wonderful  News  from  Newberry: 
concerning  a  youth  that  was  choak'd  by  eating  of  Cus- 
tard," to  the  tune  of  Chevy  Chase.     It  begins — 

"  Let  Totnam  Court  and  Islington,  and  Paddingdon  also, 
Attend  with  Lamentation  unto  a  tale  of  Woe." 

The  subject  is  also  treated  in  the  Bagford  Collection 
(iii.  91),  under  the  title  of  "A  Ballad  on  the  most  Re- 
nowned Shuff  of  Newberry,"  to  the  same  tune.  There 
are  two  remarkable  woodcuts,  one  shewing  Shuff  eating 
the  custard,  and  the  other  representing  the  "Crowner's 
Crest"  on  him — the  only  picture  of  the  sort  Mr.  Ebsworth 
(the  Editor  of  the  Bagford  Ballads)  says  is  known  to  him, 
and  both  evidently  drawn  for  the  purpose ;  the  coroner 
being  in  his  academic  square-cap  and  gown  (he  was  "  her 
Majesty's  Almoner  at  Christ  Church,  Oxford").  The 
ballad  runs : — 

"  In  bloody  Town  of  Newberry 

There  liv'd  and  dy'd  a  Blockhead, 
Of  whom  i'm  sure  you  ne'er  had  heard 
If  he  had  not  been  choakfed. 

The  adjacent  Burrough  call'd  him  Shicff, 

Of  State  not  very  thriving. 
Since  the  same  thing  which  made  him  dye 

Is  that  which  keeps  us  living. 


1 66  Newbury  in  the  Fourteenth  Century. 

He  Custard  on  a  Wager  eate, 

And  so  did  cram  his  wizand, 
That  though  he  put  it  in,  he  could 

Not  pluck  it  out  with  his  hand. 

Innocent  Meat  did  fatal  prove 

Eate  ready  without  knife  ; 
Down  on  the  ground  he  groveling  fell, 

And  Custard  strove  with  life." 

There  are  five  other  verses,  the  last  concludes  : — 

"  Now  Londo7iers  O  pray  beware. 
Eke  Alderman  and  Mayor, 
What  danger  may  in  Capon  prove 
If  Custard  prove  man-slayer." 

The  name  of  Shufif  was  well  known  in  Newbury  in  the 
seventeenth  century,  and  is  still  represented.  In  the 
parish  register  of  burials  there  is  the  following  entry  under 
the  year  1664: — 

"  William  Shuff  was  Buried 
May:  the  21"'." 
And  in  1684: — 

"  The  Widow  ShufF  was  buried  May 
ye  24*." 

Whether  the  custard  of  the  Ballad  was  of  the  same 
kind  as  the  "  troutt,"  or  "  trotters,"  it  is  impossible  to 
say ;  but  judging  from  the  expression  "  Innocent  Meat," 
the  delicacy  appears  to  have  contained  something  more 
solid  than  milk  and  eggs. 


CHAPTER    IX. 


IRewburs  in  tbe  3Fifteentb  Centurg. 

The  Manorial  History. — Property  in  Newbury  held  by  Fulke  Arches  and 
William  la  Zouche  of  Haryngworth  in  Newbury. — Edmund  Mortimei 
the  fifth  Earl  of  March,  holds  Newbury. — Pedigree  of  Mortimer  of  Wig- 
more. — The  Lordship  of  Newbury  granted  by  Letters  Patent  to  Cecily, 
Duchess  of  York,  mother  of  King  Edward  IV.,  A.D.  1461. — Later  refer- 
ences to  tenements  held  in  fee  of  the  Duchess  of  York. — Property  in  New- 
bury granted  to  Sir  Thomas  Herbert  in  1466  ;  which  on  the  death  of  his 
son  reverted  to  the  Crown. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — The  Bailiffs  of  the  Town  of 
Newbury,  1400 — 1470. — Priors  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital. — John 
Chelry's  gift  to  the  Church  of  Newbury,  1428. — A  hostelry  established 
by  Winchester  College  at  Newbury  in  1444.  — The  Rising  at  Newbury, 
1460. — The  Insurrection  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  1483. 

PASSING  on  to  the  fifteenth  century,  we  find  in  the 
Enrolled  Escheator's  Accounts  for  various  counties, 
9-10  Henry  IV.,  1408,  the  account  of  Robert  James, 
Escheator  in  the  counties  of  Oxon  and  Berks,  referring  to 
certain  property  in  Newbury  belonging  to  Fulke  Arches, 
the  Fulco  de  Archiaco  and  D'Arches  of  earlier  documents, 
whose  descendants  were  for  a  considerable  period  settled 
in  Berkshire  and  the  adjoining  county  of  Buckingham- 
shire. The  manor  of  Arches  in  East  Hendred  acquired 
its  name  from  this  family,  one  of  whom,  William  de  Arches, 
became  its  owner,  by  his  marriage  with  Amice,  daughter 
of  Sir  Richard  de  Turberville.  Four  generations  of  the 
Arches  held  this  manor.  Ethorpe,  in  the  parish  of  Wad- 
desdon,  Bucks,  was.  the  manor  and  seat  of  the  Arches  as 
early  as  the  year  1309.  John  Arches  was  one  of  the 
knights  of  the  shire  for  Berks  in  the  Parliament  of 
3  Henry  IV.  (1402),  and  by  a  coincidence  his  colleague 
was  Robert  James,  the  escheator  above  mentioned. 

From  this  enquiry  before  the  escheator  it  would  appear 
that  Fulke  Arches  was  entitled  to  I2d.,  issues  of  an  eighth 
and  a  twelfth  part  of  a  mill  in  Newbury,  remaining  in  the 


1 68  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

King's  hand,  because  Fulke  did  not  set  forth  his  right 
therein  ;  also,  to  y.  4^.,  the  issues  of  a  house  built  without 
the  King's  license  by  John  Redhead,  of  Hungerford,  in 
the  King's  highway  in  Newbury ;  and  6s.  M.  from  a  house 
built  in  the  King's  highway  of  Newbury  by  Henry  Smyth, 
to  the  annoyance  of  neighbours  and  passers-by". 

The  same  Robert  James,  Escheator,  also  renders  account 
for  30J.,  issues  of  the  Manor  of  Newbury,  which  John 
Level,  Chevalier,  deceased,  held  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
as  of  the  honour  of  Worcester  by  knight's  service;  the 
reversion  thereof  after  his  death  going  to  the  Earl  of 
March,  in  ward  to  the  King,  by  reason  of  minority,  and 
which  was  estimated  to  be  worth  £6  per  annum,  as  con- 
tained in  transcript  of  an  inquisition  and  extent''  thereof 
made  and  returned  into  Chancery,  viz.  from  Sept.  10, 
9  Hen.  IV.  (1408),  on  which  day  John  Lovel  died,  the 
said  escheator  having  taken  the  manor  into  the  King's 
hand,  up  to  November  9  following,  i.e.  for  ninety-one 
days,  according  to  the  rate  of  the  value,  for  the  said  time, 
as  contained  in  the  roll  of  particulars  delivered  to  the 
Treasury ''- 

On  May  15,  4  Hen.  V.,  1416,  an  Inquisitio  post  mortem 
was  taken  at  Newbury  before  Thomas  Bekyngham,  Eschea- 
tor, concerning  the  estate  of  William  la  Zouche,  of  Haryng- 
worth.  Chevalier,  when  the  jurors  say  that  the  said  William 
held  40J.  rent  in  Newbury,  received  from  certain  lands  and 
tenements  ;  which  rent  was  held  of  the  King,  but  by  what 
services  is  not  known.  He  died  on  the  Feast  of  All  Saints 
last  (November  i),  141 5  ;  and  William  la  Zouche,  his  son 
and  next  heir,  was  then  aged  fourteen  years  ^. 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  William  la  Zouche,  Knt.,  survived 
her  husband  until  1425  ;  and  an  Inquisition  taken  at 
Abingdon,  co.  Berks,  January  23,  4  Hen.  VI.  (1425-6), 
before   John   Danvers,  Escheator,  furnishes    us  with  the 


■  Enrolled  Escheator's  Accounts,  9-10  Hen.  IV.,  m.  48. 

''  Extent  is  the  estimate  or  value  of  lands,  which,  when  put  at  their  utmost 
value,  are  said  to  be  to  the  full  extent ;  whence  comes  our  extended  rents,  or 
rack-rents. 

■=  Enrolled  Escheator's  Accounts,  9-10  Hen.  IV.,  m.  48. 

•^  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  3  Hen.  V.,  No.  46. 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  169 

following  information  respecting  property  she  held  in 
Newbury. 

"  Elizabeth,  who  was  wife  of  William  la  Zouche,  Chevalier, 
deceased,  held  in  dower,  of  the  inheritance  of  William  la  Zouche, 
Chevalier  (the  son),  26^-.  8^.  going  out  of  divers  tenements  in 
Newbury  and  paid  at  Michaelmas  and  Easter  equall)',  held  of 
the  King  in  socage  by  fealty  for  all  service. 

"The  said  Elizabeth  died'on  the  feast  of  Saint  Hugh,  Bishop, 
last  past  (Nov.  17th,  1425).  She  held  no  other  lands  or  tene- 
ments in  dower  in  the  said  county  <=." 

We  have  seen  from  the  preceding  escheator's  account 
that  at  the  date  of  the  death  of  Sir  John  Lovel,  to  whom 
the  Manor  of  Newbury  had  been  demised  for  life  by 
Edmund  Mortimer,  third  Earl  of  March,  the  manor  was 
in  the  King's  hand  by  reason  of  the  minority  of  Ed- 
mund, eldest  son  and  heir  of  Roger  Mortimer,  who  suc- 
ceeded his  father,  and  was  the  fifth  and  last  Earl  of 
March.  He  married  Anne,  daughter  of  Edmund,  Earl 
of  Stafford,  but  died  s.  p.  January  19,  3  Hen.  VI.,  1424-5, 
being  then  about  twenty- four  years  old.  Whereupon, 
as  is  shewn  by  the  following  Inquisition,  Richard,  Duke 
of  York,  son  of  Anne,  Countess  of  Cambridge,  became 
his  heir  ;  and  here  ended  the  male  line  of  the  family 
of  Mortimer,  Earl  of  March,  but  whose  heir  female  car- 
ried all  the  great  estates,  and  the  best  title  to  the 
throne,  to  the  said  Richard,  Duke  of  York,  whose  son  and 
heir,  Edward,  became  afterwards  King  of  England,  by 
the  title  of  Edward  IV.  And  thus  the  castle  of  Wigmore, 
with  the  vast  possessions  and  the  honours  of  the  house  of 
Mortimer,  merged  in  the  Crown. 

"At  an  Inquisition  taken  at  Reading  on  Wednesday  next  after 
the  Feast  of  Saint  Luke  the  Evangelist,  in  the  fourth  year  of  the 
reign  of  King  Henry  the  Sixth,  before  John  Danvers,  Escheator 
of  the  Lord  the  King  in  the  County  of  Berks,  the  jurors  say  upon 
their  Oath  that  Edmund,  late  Earl  of  March,  in  the  said 
Writ  named,  held  on  the  day  on  which  he  died  of  the  Lord  the 
King  in  chief  of  his  demesne,  as  of  Fee  by  Knight's  Service, 
;^4  (>s.  8d.  of  Rents  of  Assize  in  Newebury,  payable  yearly  at 

■=  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  4  Hen.  VI.,  No.  7. 


170  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

the  Feasts  of  Saint  Michael  and  Easter  by  equal  portions,  with 
views  of  Frank  Pledge  of  Newbury,  which  are  worth  yearly 
beyond  Reprises  £a„  and  the  Profits  of  the  third  part  of  the  Toll 
of  the  Market  there,  which  are  worth  yearly  6x.  ?>d.,  and  thereof 
died  seized ;  which  said  Rents  and  Issues  and  Amerciaments, 
Views  of  Frank  Pledge,  with  the  Toll  in  Newbury,  Roger 
Wynter,  by  virtue  of  Letters  Patent  of  the  said  Lord  the  King, 
hath  received  and  had  from  the  time  of  the  death  of  the  afore- 
said Edmund,  late  Earl  of  March,  until  the  day  of  the  taking  of 
this  Inquisition.  And  they  say  that  the  aforesaid  Edmund,  late 
Earl  of  March,  in  the  said  Writ  named,  died  on  Friday,  the 
nineteenth  day  of  the  month  of  January  last  past.  And  that 
Richard,  Duke  of  ^York,  is  his  cousin  and  next  heir,  to  wit,  the 
son  of  Anne,  the  sister  of  the  aforesaid  Edmund,  late  Earl  of 
March,  and  is  of  the  age  of  fourteen  years  and  upwards.  In 
Witness  whereof  the  jurors  aforesaid  have  to  this  Inquisition 
affixed  their  seals.    Dated  the  day,  place,  and  year  abovesaid '." 

By  another  Inquisition,  taken  in  the  county  of  Sussex, 
the  earl's  heirs  are  proved  to  be  : — 

Richard,  Duke  of  York,  son  of  Anne,  one  of  the  earl's 
sisters,  and  daughter  of  Alianor,  late  Countess  of  March. 

Joan  (Johanna),  wife  of  John  Grey,  another  sister  of  the 
earl,  and  daughter  of  the  said  Alianor. 

Joyce  (Jocosa),  wife  of  John  Tiptoft,  third  sister  of  the 
earl,  and  daughter  of  Alianor. 

Richard,  Duke  of  York,  is  here  said  to  have  been  thirteen 
on  the  Feast  of  St.  Matthew  last  (September  21,  1424); 
Joan  Grey,  now  twenty- four;  and  Joyce,  now  twenty-one 
years  old  s. 

The  Inquisition  for  Berkshire  is  not  found  in  the  Bundle 
of  Inquisitions  taken  after  the  death  of  Anne,  widow  of 
Edmund,  Earl  of  March.  It  seems  that  she  held  in  dower 
(from  the  entry  in  the  Calendar,  vol.  iv.  141)  £\6s.  8d. 
rent  of  assize  and  profit  of  market-toll  in  Neweburye. 
She  died  on  Wednesday  before  Michaelmas  Day,  1 1  Hen. 
VI.  (Sept.  24,  1432),  leaving  as  her  heirs  : — Richard,  Duke 
of  York,  aged  21;  Joyce  Tiptoft,  aged  30;  and  Henry 
Grey,  aged  13  (or  14)^ 

'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  3  Hen.  VI.,  No.  32  (1st  part). 
e  Ibid.,  July  6,  3  Hen.  VI.,  1425.  "  Ibid.,  II  Hen.  VI.,  No.  39. 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 


\n 


PEDIGREE  OF  MORTIMER  OF  WIGMORE, 

So   FAR  AS   ILLUSTRATIVE   OF  THE  DESCENT 

OF  THE  Manor  of  Newbury. 

Ralph  Mortimer,  5th  Lord  of  Wig-  =  Gladeuse,  da.  of  Llewellyn, 
more  (by  Tenure),  d.  Aug.  6, 1246.  I       Pr.  of  Wales. 


I  I 

Roger   de    Morti-  =  Matilda,  da.  and    coheir  of  William     Hugh     Mortimer 


mer,  d.  Oct.  27, 
1282. 


de  Braose  of  Brecknock,  by  his 
wife  Eva,  da.  of  William  Marshal, 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  d.  1301. 


of     Chelmark, 
d.  1273. 


.   I  I 

William     =Havise,    only    da.    and     Edmund  Mortimer,   1st  =  Margaret,  d. 


Mortimer, 
d.  1297. 


heir  of  Robert  de  Mu- 
cegros.  She  after- 
wards married  John  de 
Ferrers. 


Baron    Mortimer    of 
Wigmore    (by    Writ), 
b.   on  or  before  1255, 
d.  1303. 


of  Sir  Wm. 
de  Fendles 
(a   Span- 
lard). 


I 


Roger  Mortimer,  b.   April = Joan,  da.   and  heir  of    Isoida.  =  (l)  Walter  de 


25,  1287,  created  Earl  of 
March  in  1328,  executed 
Nov.  29,  1330. 


Sir  Peter  de  Gene- 
ville,  b.  Feb.  2,  1286, 
d.  1356. 


Balun. 
(2)  Hugh    de 
Audley. 


Edmund  Mortimer,  =  Elizabeth,  da.  and  coheir  of  Bartho- 
d.  Dec,  1331.         I    lomew,  Lord  Badlesmere. 


Roger  Mortimer,  2nd  Earl  of  March,  =  Philippa,  da.  of  William  de 


b.  1328,  obtained  the  reversal  of 
his  grandfather's  Attainder  in  1352, 
d.  Feb.  26,  1360. 


Montacute,  Earl  of  Salis- 
bury, d.  Jan.  3,  1382. 


Roger,  ob.     Edmund  Mortimer,  3rd  Earl  =  Philippa,  da.  and  heir  of  Lionel 
vi.  pat.  of   March    and    Ulster,    d.       Plantagenet,  Duke  of  Clarence, 

Dec.  27,  1381.  3rd  son  of  Edw.  III. 


Roger  Mortimer,  4th  Earl  of  March,  =  Alianor,    da.   of    Thomas    Holland, 
slain  at  Kenles  in  Ireland,  1398.        I     Earl  of  Kent. 


Edmund  Mortimer,  5th  =  Anne,  da.  of  Edmund,     Anne  Mor- =  Richard,  Earl 


Earl    of    March, 
Jan.  19,  1424-5. 


Earl   of  Stafford,    d. 
1433- 


timer. 


of    Cam- 
bridge,   be- 
headed 1415. 


Richard,   Duke  of   York,    Protectory  Cecily,   da.   of  Ralph  Nevill,   Earl 


of  England,    slain   at    Wakefield, 
1460. 


of  Westmoreland,  d.  1495. 


Edward,  who  ascended  the  throne  as  4th  of  the  name,  whereby 
the  Manor  of  Newbury  came  to  the  Crown. 


172  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

Upon  the  death  of  Edmund  Mortimer,  the  last  Earl  of 
March,  the  estates  of  the  Mortimers,  including  the  Manor 
of  Newbury,  devolved  upon  his  nephew,  Richard  Planta- 
genet,  Duke  of  York,  as  being  son  and  heir  of  Richard 
Plantagenet,  Earl  of  Cambridge,  and  Anne  Mortimer  his 
wife,  daughter  and  sole  heir  of  Roger  Mortimer,  fourth 
Earl  of  March,  son  and  heir  of  Edmund  Mortimer,  third 
Earl  of  March,  and  Philippa,  the  sole  daughter  and  heir  of 
Lionel,  Duke  of  Clarence,  the  second  son  of  Edward  III., 
and  elder  brother  of  John  of  Gaunt,  Duke  of  Lancaster, 
father  of  Henry  IV. 

Henry  IV.,  eldest  son  of  John  of  Gaunt,  third  son  of 
Edward  III.,  having  deposed  his  cousin,  Richard  II.,  in 
1399,  in  prejudice  to  the  Duke  of  York,  descended  from 
Lionel,  the  second  son  of  Edward  III.,  this  usurpation 
gave  rise  to  the  disastrous  civil  war  between  the  Houses 
of  York  and  Lancaster,  familiarly  known  as  "  The  Wars  of 
the  Roses,"  in  which  above  100,000  men  perished,  and 
many  of  the  noblest  families  were  either  extinguished  or 
ruined. 

Richard  Plantagenet,  Duke  of  York,  Regent  of  France, 
and  Protector  of  England,  was  slain  at  the  battle  of  Wake- 
field in  1460,  and  left  with  other  issue  a  son,  Edward 
Plantagenet,  who  ascended  the  throne  as  King  Edward  IV., 
March  4,  146 1,  when  this  dukedom  and  its  estates  became 
vested  in  the  Crown.  Hence  from  this  time  Newbury 
became  a  royal  manor. 

By  Letters  Patent,  King  Edward  IV.  granted  to  his 
mother,  Cecily,  Duchess  of  York,  for  the  term  of  her  life, 
certain  Honors,  Lordships,  Manors,  &c.,  in  England,  to 
the  value  of  five  thousand  marks  yearly,  in  full  recom- 
pense of  her  jointure  and  dower.  Among  these  is  the 
Manor  and  Lordship  of  Newbury,  with  the  borough  of 
Newbury  and  appurtenances.  To  have,  hold,  and  receive 
from  the  last  day  but  one  of  (30th)  December  last  (1460), 
on  which  day  the  King's  father  died,  for  her  life,  with 
knights'  fees,  advowsons  of  churches,  &c. 

This  grant  is  dated  at  Westminster,  June  i,  1461*. 

'  Patent  Roll,  i  Edw.  IV.,  pt.  4,  m.  i,  Add.  MS.  6693,  p.  59  (Newbury). 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  173 

On  October  20,  8  Edw.  IV.,  I46S,  an  Inquisition  was 
taken  at  Chepynge  Ildesle  (East,  or  Market  Ilsley),  on  the 
death  of  William  Wetenhale,  in  which  it  appears  that  he 
held  in  fee  a  messuage  or  burgage  in  the  town  of  New- 
bury, called  the  George  of  the  hoope  (le  George  de  la 
hoope),  of  the  Duchess  of  York,  in  socage  or  burgage,  by 
fealty  for  all  services,  which  was  worth  per  annum  in  all 
issues  beyond  reprises  40  shillings. 

Wetenhale  died  June  4,  1468  ;  and  William  Wetenhale, 
his  son  and  heir,  was  then  aged  one  year  and  not  moreJ. 

By  another  Inquisition  taken  at  the  Guildhall  of  the 
City  of  London,  August  2,  8  Edw.  IV.,  1468,  it  appears 
that  William  Wetenhale,  citizen  and  grocer  of  London, 
was  father  of  the  William  Wetenhale  now  deceased,  whose 
wife  was  Margaret,  by  whom  he  left  a  son  and  heir,  Wil- 
liam, then  aged  38  weeks  and  6  days.  The  father  (grocer) 
made  his  will  Feb.  14,  1455-6,  which  was  enrolled  in  the 
Hustings  of  the  City  of  London  afterwards. 

In  an  Inquisitio  post  mortem  taken  at  Windsor  Dec.  5, 
II  Edw.  IV.,  1471,  before  Thomas  Fowler,  Escheator,  it  is 
stated  that  Thomas  Roger  was  seized  in  fee  of  eight 
pounds  rent,  five  tenements,  and  certain  lands  in  Newbury, 
which  he  held  of  Cecily,  Duchess  of  York,  mother  of  the 
then  King,  but  by  what  service  the  jury  could  not  say. 
Each  of  the  said  tenements,  with  land,  were  worth  per 
annum  (clear)  twenty  pence. 

The  said  Thomas  Roger  died  Aug.  31,  1471,  seized  in 
fee  of  the  Manor  of  Benham -Valence,  &c.,  and  Thomas 
Roger,  his  son  and  heir,  was  then  aged  16  years  and  a 
half. 

On  November  4,  1476,  an  Inquisition  probatio  etatis, 
or  proof  of  age  of  Thomas,  son  and  heir  of  Thomas 
Roger,  was  taken  at  Spene  before  William  Rainsford, 
Esq.,  Escheator,  when  it  was  proved  that  he  was  born 
at  Benham -Valence,  in  the  parish  of  Spene,  June  30^ 
33  Hen.  VI.,  1455,  and  baptized  in  the  church  at  Spene 
on  the  same  day. 

i  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  8  Edw.  IV.,  No.  47. 


174  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

Among  the  witnesses  are  : — 

Thomas  Walrond,  of  Newburj',  clothyer,  aged  46. 
William  Hopkins,  of  Newbury,  clothyer,  aged  50. 

The  latter  bought  wool  of  the  father  (Tho.  Roger)  for 
;^30;  the  latter  sold  him  cloth,  &c.,  on  the  same  day 
(June  30)  of  the  baptism. 

The  next  document  relating  to  the  manor  is  a  grant 
to  Sir  Thomas  Herbert,  on  the  Roll  of  Letters  Patent 
of  the  fifth  year  of  King  Edward  IV.  (1466),  as  fol- 
lows : — 

"  For  Thomas 
Herbert  the  elder. 

"  The  King  to  all  to  whom,  &c.  Know  ye  that  of  our  especial 
grace  and  in  consideration  of  the  good,  gratuitous  and  laudable 
Service  which  our  trusty  and  beloved  Servant  Thomas  Herbert 
the  elder,  one  of  the  Esquires  for  our  body,  hath  many  times  done 
unto  us.  We  have  given  and  granted  and  by  these  presents  do 
give  and  grant,  to  the  said  Thomas  the  Manor  of  Harscombe,  &c., 
ten  pounds  ten  shillings  and  eight  pence  of  Rent  with  the 
Appurts  in  Nubury  in  the  County  of  Berks.  And  also  the  third 
part  of  all  Fines  and  Amerciaments  of  the  Profits  and  Com- 
modities arising  from  all  the  Courts  Baron  in  Neubury  aforesaid 
from  three  weeks  to  three  weeks  yearly  to  be  holden.  And 
Also  the  third  part  of  the  Tolls  and  of  all  the  Profits  of  one  Fair 
in  Neubury  aforesaid,  to  be  yearly  holden  on  the  Eve  of  the  Feast 
of  Corpus  Christi  and  on  the  same  Feast  and  for  two  days  thence 
next  following.  And  the  third  part  of  one  other  Fair  to  be  there 
holden  yearly  on  the  Eve  of  the  Nativity  of  Saint  John  the 
Baptist  and  on  the  day  of  the  same  Feast  and  for  two  days  thence 
next  following.  And  also  the  third  part  of  the  Tolls  and  of  all 
the  profits  of  the  Market  to  be  there  holden  every  Thursday  in 
every  week  throughout  the  year.  Which  premises  late  were  the 
property  of  William  Mule,  otherwise  called  Mill  Knight,  and 
which  by  reason  of  the  forfeiture  of  the  same  William  and  by 
virtue  of  a  certain  Act  of  Forfeiture  enacted  in  our  Parliament 
holden  at  Westminster  the  fourth  day  of  November  in  the  first 
year  of  our  reign  came  or  ought  to  have  come  to  our  hands.  To 
have  and  to  hold  all  the  aforesaid  Premises  to  the  said  Thomas 
Herbert  and  his  heirs  male  of  his  Body  lawfully  begotten  of  us 
and  our  heirs  by  the  Services  of  as  many  Knights'  Fees,  and  as 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  i/S 

many  and  other  large  Rents  and  Services  whereby  before  the 
first  day  of  March  in  the  first  year  of  our  reign  they  were  seve- 
rally holden  of  our  Progenitors  or  any  of  them  or  of  any  other 
person  or  persons  whomsoever,  together  with  all  Farms,  Rents, 
Issues,  Profits  and  Revenues  renewing  or  encreasing  from  all  and 
singular  the  Premises  from  the  fourth  day  of  March  in  the  first 
year  of  our  reign  until  the  day  of  this  our  present  Grant,  and 
which  ought  in  any  way  to  pertain  to  us  if  this  our  present  Grant 
had  not  been  made.  Although  express  mention  of  the  true 
annual  value  or  of  any  other  value  of  the  Premises  or  of  any 
Parcel  thereof,  or  of  any  other  Gifts  and  Grants  by  us  or  any  of 
our  Progenitors  or  Predecessors  to  the  said  Thomas  Herbert 
heretofore  made  in  these  presents  be  not  made,  or  any  Statute, 
Act,  Ordinance  or  Restriction  heretofore  enacted  or  provided  in 
any  wise  notwithstanding. 

"  In  Witness,  &c.  Witness  the  King  at  Westminster  the 
5th  day  of  March. 

"  By  Writ  of  Privy  Seal  and  of  the  Date,  &c.'"' 

"  At  an  Inquisition  taken  at  Wallingford  the  4th  day  of  No- 
vember in  the  i4thyearof  the  reign  of  King  Edward  the  4th  (1474), 
before  Richard  Chamberlain,  Esquire,  Escheator  of  the  County, 
the  Jury,  after  reciting  the  above  grant  to  Sir  Thomas  Herbert, 
state  that  on  his  death  the  aforesaid  Tenements  with  the  appurts 
descended  to  Thomas  Herbert  the  younger  as  Son  and  Heir  of 
Thomas  Herbert  the  elder.  And  the  same  Thomas  the  Son, 
after  the  death  of  the  aforesaid  Thomas  his  Father,  entered  into 
the  aforesaid  Tenements  with  the  Appurts,  and  was  therefore 
seized  in  his  Demesne  as  of  fee  bail  by  form  of  the  Gift  aforesaid, 
and  died  without  heir  male  of  his  Body  issuing,  to  wit,  on  the 
seventh  day  of  September  in  the  said  fourteenth  year.  And  be- 
cause the  aforesaid  Thomas  Herbert  the  elder  had  no  issue  male 
except  the  said  Thomas  Herbert  his  only  Son,  who  died  without 
male  heir  of  his  Body  issuing  as  aforesaid.  Therefore  the  afore- 
said tenements  with  the  appurts  aforesaid  ought  to  revert  to  the 
said  Lord  the  now  King  by  form  of  the  Gift  aforesaid '." 

*  Letters  Patent,  5  Edward  IV.,  part  I. 
'  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  14  Edw.  IV.,  No.  45. 


1/6  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

INCIDENTS  CONNECTED  WITH  NEWBURY. 

The  Bailiffs  of  the  Town  of  Newbury. 

The  municipal  government  of  Newbury  before  its  in- 
corporation appears  to  have  been  in  the  hands  of  a  small 
body  of  "  ballivi "  or  bailiffs,  and  constables,  who  were 
elected  annually,  probably  on  or  about  St.  John  the  Bap- 
tist's Day.  The  names  of  many  of  them  have  been  pre- 
served, through  the  circumstance  of  it  having  been  a  com- 
mon, but  by  no  means  universal,  practice  for  them  to  act 
as  attesting  witnesses  of  the  feoffments  of  the  townspeople. 
The  first  instance  among  the  records  of  Winchester  Col- 
lege of  a  Charter  so  attested  is  of  the  year  22  Richard  II. 
(1399)1  when  the  following  names  of  BaiHffs  are  given  : — 

1399-  John  Southton,  Reginald  Champ,  William  Purye, 
William  Bavell,  William  Attehome,  and  Roger  Smyth. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  Bailiffs  in  several  sub- 
sequent years  : — 

1400.  John  Southton,  Ralph  Champ,  William  Gay, 
Roger  Smyth,  William  Home  {sic),  and  John  South. 

142 1.  Henry  Hulle,  John  Takener,  Thomas  Wantynge, 
William  Gay,  Robert  Crook,  Henry  Barbour. 

1422.  John  Hurlok™,  John  Cocrum,  Robert  Hartrych, 
John  Chadelworth,  Nicholas  Messager,  Peter  Greete,  and 
William  Brykefeld,  Chadelworth  and  Messager  being  also 
Constables. 

1423.  John  Hurlok,  Henry  Huntingdon,  John  Chelry, 
Henry  Hulle,  Thomas  Kentebury,  John  Skynner,  and 
Vincent  Waldry. 

1428.  John  Benet,  Robert  Crooke,  John  Crooke,  John 
Haddam,  Nicholas  Spenser,  Vincent  Waldry,  John  Eaton, 
and  John  Swyfte. 

1429.  John  Hurlok,  John  Chelry,  Thomas  Kentebury, 
John  Mulward,  John  Lamborne,  William  Brykevile  {sic), 
Peter  Greete,  John  Grenehull,  and  Richard  Dykyll. 

1430.  John    Hurlok,   John    Benet,    Henry   Berksdale, 

■^  W.  Horlok  was  Rector  of  Shaw  between  1412  and  1447.      He  died 
in  1447.  ^  ^' 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  177 

Robert  Crook,  Nicholas  Iveryngton,  John  Graybrok,  and 
Nicholas  Dykyll. 

1432.  John  Hurlok,  John  Chelrey,  John  Benet,  John 
Chadelworthe,  Robert  Crook,  Robert  Brockhampton,  and 
John  Gore. 

The  following  names  of  the  Commonalty  of  the  town 
are  given  in  the  Acts  of  Institution  to  St.  Bartholomew's 
Hospital,  Newbury,  in  the  Episcopal  Registers  of  Salis- 
bury : — 

1443  (August  16).  John  Bennet,  Thomas  Cutteler, 
Robert  Crook,  John  Crook,  John  Chyppes,  John  Bedford, 
Richard  Aubrye,  William  Lamborne,  John  Farlegh,  Henry 
Babar,  John  Hadham,  Nicholas  Spencer. 

145 1  (January  21).  Richard  Aubrey,  John  Eyre,  Robert 
Crook,  John  Crook,  William  Lamborn,  John  Dogett,  John 
Chyppes,  Thomas  Godard,  John  Bedford,  Henry  Worme- 
stall,  John  Haddon,  Nicholas  Spencer. 

1470  (August  4).  Robert  Harre,  John  Bedford,  John 
Croke,  sen.,  Thomas  Grene,  Roger  Carpenter,  Nicholas 
Sern,  Nicholas  Lamborn,  Thomas  Godard,  Thomas  Love, 
John  Gyfford,  Stephen  Wyard,  Robert  Catelyn,  William 
Bernard. 

St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital. 

This  Hospital,  of  which  the  early  history  has  been 
already  referred  to  under  Chapter  VH.  (p.  130),  and  again- 
in  Chapter  VHI.  (p.  160),  seems  to  have  gone  steadily  on 
with  its  work  during  this  century. 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  Hospital  was  a  foun- 
dation under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese, 
for  the  sustenance  and  support  of  certain  infirm  people 
provided  for  in  small  dwellings  adjacent  to  the  house  of 
the  prior,  master,  custodian,  or  governor,  as  the  chief  of  the 
Hospital  was  variously  called,  with  a  chapel  annexed,  and 
a  cemetery  or  burial-ground  attached  thereto,  the  chapel 
being  quite  separate  and  distinct  from  the  parochial  church. 
Yet  the  institution  could  scarcely  be  considered  "a  re- 
ligious house  "  in  the  strict  meaning  of  the  term.  The 
patronage  of  the  Hospital  and  appointment  of  the  prior 

N 


178  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

or  master,  who  was  invariably  in  priest's  orders,  appear  to 
have  been  vested  in  the  Commonalty  or  governing  body 
of  the  town,  from  the  date  of  the  earliest  institution  re- 
corded in  the  Diocesan  registers,  and  probably  from  the 
time  of  its  foundation,  by  whom  the  priest  nominated  was 
presented  to  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  who  upon  exam- 
ination admitted  him  to  the  office. 

We  are  able  from  the  Diocesan  Register  preserved  at 
Salisbury  to  give  a  list  of  the  several  Priors,  Chaplains,  or 
Wardens  in  this  century  : — 

"  1402.  April  loth.  Thomas  Pale,  Priest,  was  admitted  to 
the  Hospital  of  St.  Bartholomew  of  Newbury  on  the  presentation 
of  the  Commonalty  of  that, town." — Reg.  Medford,  p.  76. 

"  1438.  February  27th.  William  Baker,  Chaplain,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  custody  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  Bartholomew  at 
Newbury,  vacant  by  the  death  of  Thomas  Pale,  on  the  presenta- 
tion of  the  Commonalty  of  the  town." — Reg.  Aiscough,  p.  10. 

"  1441.  August  22nd.  WiUiam  Hutchyns  was  admitted  to 
the  custody  of  the  Priory  of  Saint  Bartholomew  at  Newbury, 
vacant  by  the  death  of  William  Lee  ",  the  last  Custodian,  on  the 
presentation  of  the  Commonalty  of  the  town." — Reg.  Aiscough, 

P-  39- 

"  1443.     August  1 6th.     John  Bradstone  was  admitted  to  the 

custody  of  the  Chapel,  Priory,  or  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew 
at  Newbury,  on  the  resignation  of  William  Hutchyns,  presented 
by  the  Commonalty  of  the  town,  whose  names  are  given." 
— Reg.  Aiscough,  p.  6r. 

"145 1.  January  2  ist.  William  Mayhew  was  admitted  to  the 
custody  of  the  Hospital  of  St.  Bartholomew,  at  Newbury,  after  the 
resignation  of  John  Bradstone,  on  the  presentation  of  the  Com- 
monalty of  the  town,  whose  twelve  names  are  given." — Reg. 
Beauchamp,  p.  2. 

An  Institution  to  the  Hospital  occurring  at  this  time 
is  mentioned  in  the  Index,  but  leaf  3  of  the  Beauchamp 
Register  is  lost. 

"  1459.  February  9th.  "William  Belyngham,  Priest,  was 
collated  to  the  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  at  Newbury,  the 
Patronage  having  fallen  to  the  Bishop  from  the  lapse  of  six  months 

°  The  admission  of  William  Lee  is  not  recorded. 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  179 

after  the  resignation  of  Robert  Bryteyn,  the  last  Custodian  or 
Rector." — Reg.  Beauchamp,  p.  73. 

"  1470.  August  4th.  William  Bray,  Chaplain,  was  admitted 
to  the  custody  of  the  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  the  Apostle 
in  Newbury,  on  the  presentation  of  the  Commonalty  of  the  town, 
whose  fourteen  names  are  given." — Reg.  Beauchamp,  p.  154. 

John  Chelry's  Gift  to  the  Church  of 
Newbury. 
John  Smyth  of  Chelry  (Childrey"),  commonly  called 
John  Chelry,  the  same,  perhaps,  who  was  one  of  the  bailiffs 
of  Newbury  for  several  years,  purchased  of  William  Darell? 
one  messuage  and  six  acres  of  land  in  "  Neughbury  and 
Endeberne"  in  6  Henry  VI.  (1428)  at  the  price  of  ten  silver 
marks,  and  a  fine  thereof  was  levied  in  the  Octave  of  St. 
Martin  in  that  year  between  the  said  John  Smyth  and 
wife,  plaintiffs,  and  William  Darell  and  wife,  deforciants. 
Chelry  made  his  will  on  May  14,  1438,  which  was  proved 
on  June  27  following,  before  the  official  of  the  Archdeacon 
of  Berks.  According  to  the  probate  copy  preserved  in  the 
muniment-room  of  Winchester  College,  after  giving  his 
soul  to  Him  who  gave  it,  and  his  body  to  be  buried  in  the 
graveyard  {cimeteriam)  of  the  parish  church  of  Newbury, 
Chelry  bequeathed  2>d.  to  the  Cathedral  Church  of  Sarum, 
the  diocese  to  which  Newbury  at  that  time  belonged,  and 
then  directed  that  all  his  lands  and  tenements  in  Newbury 
should  be  sold,  and  that  out  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale 

°  The  village  of  Childrey  lies  three  miles  west  of  Wantage.  The  name  has 
been  spelt  at  different  times,  Celrea,  Chilree,  Cheldrey,  Chelreth,  Chelree, 
Chelry,  Cilree,  and  Chilrey.  The  Chelrys  long  possessed  estates  in  this  vil- 
lage and  in  other  places  in  Berkshire,  which  county  more  than  one  member 
of  the  family  represented  in  Parliament.  Henry  de  Chelry  was  Sheriff  of 
Berks  and  Oxon  in  1336,  and  Thomas  Chelry  was  Steward  of  the  lands  of  the 
Bishopric  of  Winchester,  temp.  William  of  Wykeham,  and  one  of  that  pre- 
late's executors. 

'  This  William  Darell  was  a  younger  son  of  Sir  William  Darell  of  Sesay, 
CO.  York,  who,  by  marriage  with  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Thomas 
Calston  of  Littlecote,  by  Joan,  daughter  and  coheir  of  Thomas  Chelry,  be- 
came the  ancestor  of  the  Darells  of  Littlecote  and  of  West  Woodhay.  He 
filled  the  office  of  Sub-Treasurer  of  England,  14  Richard  II.,  and  was  Sheriff 
of  Wilts  8  &  9  Henry  V.  and  6  Henry  VI.  A  large  Purbeck  tomb  in  the 
Darell  chapel  in  Ramsbury  Church  is  attributed  to  this  William  Darell  and 
his  lady,  whose  effigies  it  once  contained. 

The  manor  of  Balsdon,  and  other  estates  in  Kint bury,  West  Woodhay,  &c., 
came  to  the  Darells  from  the  Chelrys,  by  whom  they  were,  apparently,  acquired 
by  purchase  in  38  Edward  III.,  1361. 

N  2 


i8o  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

certain  other  endowments  should  be  provided,  the  details 
of  which  will  be  found  in  a  later  chapter,  under  the  ac- 
count of  the  Church. 

Litigation  ensued,  and  depositions  were  made,  of  a  kind 
which  would  be  inadmissible  at  the  present  day,  express- 
ing the  opinions  of  two  deponents  as  to  what  the  intentions 
of  the  testator  were  when  he  was  making  his  will.  It  would 
seem  that,  whereas  the  testator  meant  his  widow  to  have  his 
property  after  his  death  (for  that  is  the  meaning  of  the  word 
'  reversyon '  in  the  deposition)  subject  to  her  making  cer- 
tain payments  to  the  churchwardens,  &c.,  the  unskilful 
clerk  who  drew  the  will  so  framed  it  as  to  exclude  her. 
But  from  one  of  the  depositions,  that  of  John  Barkesdale,  of 
Speen,  who  says  that  the  testator  enfeoffed  him  and  others 
of  all  his  property  in  the  town  and  fields  of  Newbury  and 
Emborne  upon  condition  of  delivering  possession  of  it  to 
the  widow  (who  had  in  the  meantime  became  the  wife  of 
John  Chyppes  of  Newbury,  a  bailiff  of  the  town  in  145 1), 
upon  her  paying  the  twenty  marks  to  the  testator's  daugh- 
ters, and  finding  the  priest  or  priests  to  sing  the  masses, 
we  think  we  may  infer  that,  possession  being  nine  points 
at  least  of  the  law  in  those  days,  the  widow  got  what  her 
husband  meant  her  to  have,  although  he  did  not  say  so. 

A  Hostelry  established  by  Winchester  College 
AT  Newbury,  1444. 

The  ancient  foundation  of  the  College  of  St.  Mary, 
Winchester,  acquired  in  the  fifteenth  century  two  small 
properties  in  the  town  of  Newbury,  probably  for  conveni- 
ence' sake,  Newbury  being  the  usual  resting-place  for 
travellers  on  the  road  between  Winchester  and  Oxford, 
and  the  connection  between  the  two,  St.  Mary's  College 
of  Winchester  and  Oxford  (New  College),  being  so  very 
intimate. 

Relating  to  one  of  these  properties,  a  double  tenement 
on  the  west  side  of  Bartholomew-street  (now  Nos.  25  and 
26),  the  College  has  a  series  of  deeds,  the  earliest  in  date 
being  a  feoffment  by  one  Richard  le  Farou  in  24  Edward 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  i8i 

^I^'  ("SSi)-  This  surname  occurs  several  times  in  deeds 
of  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  centuries  dealing  with  pro- 
perty at  Newbury,  and  in  its  modern  form  of  Farrow  was 
a  well-known  one  in  Newbury  not  many  years  ago  "i.  In 
22  Richard  II.  (1399)  Thomas  Fisshe  and  Maud  his  wife 
enfeoffed  Robert  Deneman.  The  property  was  Fisshe's 
own,  but  it  was  necessary  that  his  wife  should  concur  in 
order  to  release  her  dower.  It  is  described  as  a  messuage 
with  a  garden  at  Rockingham ''  in  West-street,  situate  be- 
tween the  tenements  of  John  Eryot  on  the  south,  and  of 
Richard  Bussard  on  the  north,  and  abutting  on  the  King's 
highway  on  the  east,  and  on  Parker's  Lane  on  the  west. 
The  King's  highway  was  of  course  the  West-street,  or  Bar- 
tholomew-street as  it  is  now  called,  from  the  Priory  of  St. 
Bartholomew  that  stood  in  it.  Richard  Bussard's  tenement 
belonged  to  the  Priory.  It  is  now  the  "  Tiger  "  beerhouse, 
a  well-known  lodging-house  for  travellers.  After  passing 
through  a  variety  of  hands  this  property  was  sold  by  one 
Rype,  in  32  Henry  VI.  (1444),  to  Winchester  College  ^ 

The  other  property,  consisting  of  a  messuage  on  the 
west  side  of  Northbrook-street  (now  No.  87,  occupied  by 
Mr.  Packer),  together  with  two  lugo  (laga,  'lug,'  is  still  used 
to  denote  a  pole  or  perch)  of  land,  belonged  to  Roger 
Lovekyn,  temp.  Edward  I.  His  executors,  who  were 
John  Wyke,  Rector  of  Burghclere,  and  John  Strockon, 
Chaplain  of  Newbury,  enfeoffed  Roger  Smyth  and  Ana- 
stasia  his  wife,  and  she,  surviving  her  husband,  enfeoffed 
John  Sybford  of  Donnington,  2  Henry  VI.  (1414).    Thomas 


1  It  has  been  seen  (p.  116)  that  the  name  of  Matilda  Farou  occurs  in  a 
chronicle  of  the  thirteenth  century  as  having  been  cured  "  of  an  almost  fatal 
dropsy"  by  a  fillet  which  had  been  measured  round  the  corpse  of  Simon  de 
Montfort.  The  name  is  very  frequently  mentioned  in  the  records  of  the 
town,  and  a  descendant  of  this  ancient  line,  Mr.  Edward  Lawrence  Farrow, 
was  Mayor  of  Newbury  in  1847.  Misfortune,  however,  attended  him  in  his 
later  days,  and  he  died  a  few  years  since  in  one  of  Kimber's  almshouses. 

'  Rockingham  :  the  old  name  of  the  lane  leading  from  West  Mills  to 
West  Fields,  at  the  rear  of  the  property  described. 

*  We  have  here  a  singular  survival  of  the  original  purpose  to  which  this 
house  was  applied,  "  The  Tiger "  time  out  of  mind  being  a  noted  lodging- 
house  for  "travellers,"  but  of  a  very  different  grade  to  those  who  were  con- 
nected with  Winchester  and  Oxford.  The  present  proprietor  informs  the 
writer  that  such  is  the  fame  of  "  The  Tiger,"  that  it  is  known  in  all  parts  of 
the  world ! 


1 82  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century, 

Bladen,  of  Kingsclere,  was  afterwards  owner,  and  he  de- 
mised the  house  to  John  Bedford  for  twenty-one  years  at 
the  rent  of  26s.  per  annum  in  3  Richard  III.  (1485)-  Bla- 
den's son  and  heir  conveyed  the  house  to  feoffees,  who 
enfeoffed  Peter,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  John,  Bishop  of 
Lincoln,  Sir  John  Dynham,  Lord  High  Treasurer,  John 
Kyngesmill,  William  Tycheborne,  John  White,  Thomas 
Assheborne,  and  John  Jackys  to  the  use  of  the  College  of 
St.  Mary,  Winchester.  Since  then  it  has  been  let  on  lease. 
A  messuage  in  Chepyngstrete  with  a  curtilage  in  Nyue- 
londe  (Newland)  belonged  to  Thomas  le  Farou  in  1328, 
when  he  settled  it  on  his  daughter  Alice  in  marriage  with 
John  Smyth.  In  15  Henry  VI.  (1427)  this  property  be- 
longed to  Thomas  Marshal  and  Agatha  his  wife,  of  Green- 
ham.  They  sold  it  to  Stephen  Wyard  and  others  in  1455. 
It  descended  to  Richard,  Stephen  Wyard's  son,  who  was 
admitted  a  Scholar  of  Winchester  College  in  1460,  and 
dying  a  Fellow  of  New  College  in  1478  was  buried  in  the 
chapel  of  that  foundation.  By  his  will,  dated  at  Oxford 
on  August  4,  1478,  he  gave  four  pence  to  each  light  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary  in  the  chapel  of  New  College,  and 
devised  his  messuage  in  Northbrook-street,  Newbury,  with 
six  acres  in  the  West  Field,  at  a  spot  called  Barensoyle,  to 
Walter  Hyll  and  Gerard  Mason,  clerks,  to  the  use  of  New 
College. 

The  Rising  at  Newbury,  1460. 

During  the  Wars  of  the  Roses,  or  the  struggle  between 
the  Houses  of  Lancaster  and  York,  a  period  of  history 
which  has  found  an  unrivalled  interpreter  in  our  great 
dramatic  poet  Shakespeare,  the  town  of  Newbury  was  the 
scene  of  important  transactions,  and  its  inhabitants  were 
conspicuous  for  the  part  they  played  in  support  of  what  they 
considered  the  rightful  cause.  At  that  time  the  Earl  of 
March,  the  grandson  of  Lionel,  was  in  reality  the  legal 
heir  of  Richard  if  he  left  no  issue  ;  and  during  his  life  was 
so  declared  by  Parliament,  and  as  such  was  designated  to 
the  throne.     But  the  great  ecclesiastical  and  other  sup- 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  183 

porters  of  Henry  IV.  succeeded  in  setting  aside  the  rights 
of  the  Earl  of  March,  and  in  transmitting  the  Crown  to 
Henry.  This  violation  of  its  legal  and  legitimate  claims 
was  not  forgiven  or  forgotten  by  the  Mortimers.  It  was 
to  raise  the  Earl  of  March's  son  to  the  throne  instead  of 
Henry  V.,  who  had  no  hereditary  title  thereto,  that  the 
Earl  of  Cambridge  entered  into  those  plots  for  which  he 
suffered.  And  in  the  beginning  of  Henry  VI.'s  reign 
another  of  the  March  family.  Sir  John  Mortimer,  asserting, 
at  least  in  argument,  its  superior  rights,  was  apprehended 
and  executed.  The  Duke  of  York  had  therefore  the 
actual  right  to  the  Crown,  according  to  the  English  laws 
of  real  inheritance.  But  the  House  of  Lancaster  stood  on 
the  constitutional  ground  of  parliamentary  enactment. 

The  spring  of  1460  evinced  to  both  parties  that  a  tem- 
porary victory  was  not  permanent  success.  The  popular 
party  in  England  was  discovered  to  be  unmistakably  in 
favour  of  the  noblemen  in  exile  and  the  cause  they  espoused, 
and  many  friends  flocking  over  to  Calais  to  join  them, 
active  measures  were  taken  by  Warwick  and  his  allies  for 
the  invasion  of  England.  Warwick  ventured  to  cross  the 
Channel,  to  arrange  with  the  Duke  of  York  the  plan  of 
action,  and  returned  to  Calais,  taking  with  him  his  mother, 
the  proscribed  Countess  of  Salisbury.  These  proceedings 
on  the  part  of  Warwick  naturally  gave  some  suspicion  to 
the  Queen  and  the  ministers  that  there  was  some  fresh 
design  of  invading  England  entertained  by  those  of  his 
party.  In  order  to  anticipate  and,  if  possible,  intimidate 
the  authors  of  this  enterprise,  it  was  resolved,  at  a  council 
held  for  the  purpose,  that  strict  search  should  be  made  in 
all  the  counties  and  towns  in  the  kingdom  for  the  ad- 
herents of  the  Duke  of  York,  and  that  those  who  fa- 
voured him  most,  and  were  in  a  position  to  best  serve  his 
cause,  should  be  immediately  arrested.  In  pursuance  of 
this   resolution,  James  Butler,  Earl  of  Wiltshire',  Lord 

•  James  Butler,  son  and  heir  of  James,  fourth  Earl  of  Ormond,  created 
Earl  of  Wiltshire,  July  8,  1449.  Succeeded  as  fifth  Earl  of  Ormond,  in  Ire- 
land, in  1452,  Lord  Treasurer,  K.G.  He  was  a  staunch  Lancastrian,  and 
fought  for  the  party  at  the  first  battle  of  St.  Albans  in  1455  ;  also  at  the 
battle  of  Wakefield,  and  again  at  the  battle  of  Mortimer's  Cross.     He  ap- 


1 84  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

Scales  ",  and  Lord  Hungerford  ''.were  empowered  by  com- 
mission to  discover  and  punish  those  that  had  been  in  arms 
against  the  King,  or  could  be  proved  to  be  implicated  in 
the  conspiracy,  but  the  circumstance  is  best  explained  in 
the  words  of  a  contemporary  chronicler  : — 

"  1460.  In  the  mene  tyme  the  erlle  of  Wylshire  tresuer  of 
Englond,  the  lorde  Scales,  and  the  lorde  Hungreford,  having  the 
Kynges  commyssyone  went  to  the  toune  of  Newbury,  the  whyche 
longed  to  the  duk  of  York,  and  there  made  inquysycione  of  alle 
thayme  that  in  any  wyse  had  shewed  any  fauoure  or  benyuolence 
or  frendshyppe  to  the  sayde  duk,  or  to  any  of  hys  :  whereof  some 
were  found  gylty,  and  were  drawe,  hanged,  and  quartered,  and 
alle  other  inhabitantes  of  the  forseyde  toune  were  spoyled  of  alle 
theyxe  goodes  ■"." 

The  three  lords,  as  it  will  be  seen,  began  to  execute  their 
Commission  in  Newbury,  one  of  the  towns  which  had  most 
openly  declared  for  the  Duke,  and  had  previously  sup- 
ported his  cause.  In  fact,  it  is  very  evident  that  the  towns- 
people of  Newbury  had  throughout  the  contest  between  the 
contending  factions  shewn  a  steady  attachment  to  the  House 
of  York.  As  an  indication  of  this,  one  of  the  quarters  of 
Ramsey,  a  confederate  of  Jack  Cade,  who  armed  in  favour 
of  the  Duke  of  York,  "  to  punish  evil  ministers,  and  pro- 
cure a  redress  of  grievances,"  was  sent  to  Newbury,  and 
exhibited  to  the  public  eye,  as  the  result  of  treason  and 
rebellion.  But  it  appears  to  have  had  a  contrary  effect 
to  that  intended,  and  to  have  inflamed  rather  than  to 
have  discouraged  the  fiery  spirits  who  were  opposed  to 
the  obnoxious  administration  of  the  country. 

It  is  a  remarkable  circumstance  that  all  the  three  lords 
who  shewed  such  unpardonable  inhumanity  towards  the 
poor  inhabitants  of  Newbury  came  to  an  untimely  end 

pears  also  to  have  been  at  the  battle  of  Towton.  After  that  battle  he  was 
captured  by  the  Yorkists,  and  beheaded  on  the  1st  of  May,  1461,  at  New- 
castle. 

"  Thomas,  Lord  Scales,  above  mentioned,  was  a  commander  of  celeb- 
rity in  the  French  wars,  ob.  1460,  s.  p.  m.  Elizabeth,  his  sole  daughter  and 
heir,  married  1st,  Henry  Kourchier,  2nd  son  of  Henry,  Earl  of  Essex ;  and 
2ndly,  Anthony  Woodville,  son  and  heir  of  Richard,  1st  Earl  Rivers,  who 
was  summoned  to  Parliament  as  Lord  Scales, ya?-^  uxoris,  2  Edw.  IV.,  1462. 

'  Robert,  3rd  Baron  Hungerford.     Beheaded  and  attainted  in  1463. 

'   "An  English  Chronicle  from  1377  to  1461,"  p.  90.     Cam.  Soc,  1856. 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  185 

soon  afterwards.  The  Earl  of  Wiltshire  was  taken  prisoner 
at  the  battle  of  Towton,  March  29,  1461,  and  beheaded. 
Lord  Scales,  having  delivered  up  the  Tower  of  London 
to  the  successful  Yorkists,  after  their  victory  at  North- 
ampton in  July,  1460,  was  entering  a  small  boat  to  escape 
to  the  Queen,  when  some  watermen,  part  of  Warwick's 
retainers,  saw  him,  and  inhumanly  murdered  him  with 
their  darts  and  daggers.  "  I  saw  him,"  says  William  of 
Worcester,  "  lying  naked  near  the  church  porch,  in  the 
burying  ground  of  St.  Mary  Overy,  Southwark.  He  had 
been  stripped  of  his  clothes,  but  was  buried  honourably 
the  same  day  by  Edward  and  Warwick."  Lord  Hunger- 
ford  was  found  in  a  wood  the  day  after  the  battle  of  Hex- 
ham, May  8,  1464,  in  which  the  Yorkists  were  victorious, 
and  being  taken  prisoner  was  beheaded  the  next  day. 


The  Insurrection  of  the  Duke  of  Buckingham, 

1483. 

Some  twenty-three  years  after  the  rigorous  proceedings 
of  the  Lancastrian  Commissioners  at  Newbury  the  town 
was  the  scene  of  an  armed  insurrection,  the  object  of  its 
leaders  being  to  bring,  about  the  deposition  of  King 
Richard  HL  and  the  adoption  of  Henry  Tudor,  Earl  of 
Richmond,  as  their  king. 

The  usurpation  of  Richard  by  acts  of  bloodshed  and 
violence  was  most  repugnant  to  every  principle  of  justice 
and  public  interest ;  and  it  was  inevitable  that  when  he 
had  attained  the  crown,  feelings  of  antagonism  should 
begin  to  shew  themselves.  His  title  was  never  acknow- 
ledged by  any  national  assembly ;  and  to  endure  such  a 
ruler  was  considered  by  all  parties  to  bring  discredit,  if 
not  disgrace,  upon  the  nation.  In  London  and  the 
southern  counties  people  began  to  be  uneasy  about  the 
King's  conduct  to  the  two  young  princes,  his  nephews, 
with  whose  protection  he  had  been  intrusted,  and  who 
since  the  coronation  had  been  withdrawn  from  public 
sight ;  it  being  presumed  that  this  would  have  prevented 
the  public  sympathy  or  recollection  about  them. 


1 86  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

At  length  it  was  announced  that  even  the  Duke  of 
Buckingham,  who  had  been  so  strong  a  friend  and  sup- 
porter of  Richard,  had  renounced  his  allegiance,  and 
would  put  himself  at  the  head  of  a  confederacy  for  their 
release  from  the  Tower.  But  scarcely  had  the  news  got 
abroad  when  it  was  made  known  that  the  object  of  the 
proposed  rising  was  hopeless,  for  the  princes  were  no 
more.  No  one  could  tell  how  or  when  they  had  been  put 
to  death ;  but  that  they  had  been  murdered  was  the  cur- 
rent rumour  of  the  time,  and  it  was  not  contradicted. 
The  news  of  the  murder  excited  throughout  the  country 
the  utmost  grief  and  detestation.  But  to  those  implicated 
in  the  conspiracy  it  was  more  especially  alarming. 

The  rebellion  having  been  carefully  planned,  it  was 
secretly  communicated  to  the  principal  persons  of  both 
parties  in  all  the  counties  of  England,  that  a  number  of 
simultaneous  risings  were  to  take  place  on  October  i8, 
(1483),  in  the  south  and  west  of  England  ;  and  that  the 
Earl  of  Richmond  was  expected  at  the  same  time  to  land 
on  the  southern  coast  and  head  the  movement  in  person. 
But  it  was  impossible  that  a  conspiracy  of  so  formidable 
a  character  could  be  conducted  in  so  secret  a  manner  as 
to  entirely  escape  the  vigilant  eye  of  Richard,  and  he  soon 
received  intelligence  that  his  enemies  were  taking  mea- 
sures to  overthrow  him.  He  immediately  put  himself  in 
a  posture  of  defence  by  levying  troops  in  the  North ;  and 
he  summoned  Buckingham  to  appear  at  court,  in  such 
terms  as  seemed  to  promise  a  renewal  of  their  former 
friendship.  But  the  Duke,  well  acquainted  with  the 
treachery  of  Richard,  replied  only  by  taking  arms  in 
Wales,  and  giving  the  signal  to  his  accomplices  to  raise 
the  standard  of  revolt  in  all  parts  of  England.  Those  in 
Kent  met  at  Maidstone  and  Rochester,  and  afterwards  at 
Gravesend,  while  those  of  Surrey  met  at  Guildford. 

The  Berkshire  men,  with  other  supporters  of  Bucking- 
ham, assembled  at  Newbury  on  October  18,  1483,  and 
proclaimed  Richmond  King  of  England  ;  and  further  West 
there  were  musters  at  Salisbury  and  at  Exeter. 

The  following  names  of  the  gentlemen   of  Berkshire 


Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century.  187 

and  others  who  headed  the  rising  at  Newbury  are  ob- 
tained from  an  Act  of  Attainder,  which  was  subsequently 
passed  against  those  who  had  been  concerned  as  leaders 
in  the  revolt : — Sir  William  Norris,  of  Yattendon,  knt. " ; 
William  Berkeley,  late  of  Beverston,  knt.  ^ ;  Sir  Roger 
Tocotes,  late  of  Bromeham,  knt. ;  Richard  Beauchamp, 
Lord  St.  Amandy,  Sir  William  Stonor,  late  of  Stonor, 
knt.';  Thomas  de  la  Mare,  late  of  Aldermaston^;  Sir 
Richard  Woodville,  late  of  London,  knt.*" ;  John  Harcourt, 
late  of  Stanton,  esq.'^,  William  Ovedale,  late  of  Wykeham, 
esq. ;  Roger  Kelsall,  late  of  Southampton,  yeoman '';  Ed- 
mund Hampden,  late  of  Fisherton,  gent.,  son  to  Thomas 
Hampden ;  Walter  Williams,  late  of  Southampton,  mer- 
chant^; Sir  William  Overy,  late  of  Southampton,  knt.^; 
Amias  Paulet,  son  and  heir  to  Sir  William  Paulet^. 

So  much  of  the  plan  as  depended  on  the  confederates 
in  England  was  promptly  executed.  All  the  insurgents 
rose  on  St.  Luke's  day,  October  18,  and  the  same  day 
Buckingham  unfurled  his  standard  at  Brecknock.     But 

"  Sir  Wm.  Norris,  of  Yattendon,  Berks,  was  one  of  the  knights  of  the  body 
to  Edward  IV.,  and  2nd  Henry  VII.  (1487)  had  a  command  in  the  King's 
army  at  the  battle  of  Stoke,  near  Newark-on-Trent. 

'  Sir  Wm.  Berkeley,  created  Earl  of  Nottingham,  June  28,  1483 ;  created 
Marquess  of  Berkeley  in  1488;  created  Marshal  of  England,  1485;  ob.  1492, 
s.  p.,  when  the  Viscountcy  and  Marquisate  of  Berkeley  and  Earldom  of  Not- 
tingham became  extinct. 

1  Richard  de  Beauchamp,  Lord  St.  Amand,  being  attainted  I  Ric.  Ill,, 
his  honours  became  forfeited,  but  he  was  fully  restored  I  Hen.  VII.,  ob. 
1508.  The  Barons  of  St.  Amand's  were  proprietors  of  the  manor  of  West 
Woodhay. 

'  The  manor  of  Buscot,  near  Faringdon,  was  in  the  ancient  family  of 
Stonor,  of  Oxfordshire,  in  the  year  1479. 

•  The  manor  of  Aldermaston  passed  by  marriage  from  the  Achards  to  the 
De  la  Mares  about  the  year  1358. 

''  Sir  Richard  Woodville,  of  Wymington,  brother  of  the  queen  dowager. 
He  received  a  pardon  in  March,  1485. 

'  Of  Stanton-Harcourt,  Oxfordshire. 

''  Roger  Kelsall  was  M.P.  for  Southampton  in  the  Parliaments  1477-78, 
17  Edw.  IV.,  and  1482-83,  22  Edw.  IV.  He  was  attainted  11  Ric.  III., 
1483-84,  but  a  reversal  of  this  attainder  was  granted  i  Hen.  VII.,  1485. 

'  Walter  Williams,  Mayor  of  Southampton  in  1482  and  1483,  the  year  of 
Buckingham's  rebellion.  A  reversal  of  his  attainder  was  granted  with  the 
.  preceding. 

'  Sir  William  Overy  was  Mayor  of  Southampton  1474-75,  '4  Edw.  IV. 
His  attainder  was  also  subsequently  reversed. 

e  Amias  Paulet,  knighted  for  his  gallant  behaviour  at  the  battle  of  Stoke 
in  1487,  when  the  Earl  of  Lincoln  and  Lambert  Simnel  were  defeated.  He 
re-edified  the  gate  of  the  Middle  Temple,  of  which  he  was  Treasurer,  and  died 
in  1538. 


1 88  Newbury  in  the  Fifteenth  Century. 

the  elements  ministered  to  the  defeat  of  the  rebeUion. 
The  Duke,  driven  to  bye -roads  and  unguarded  points, 
marched  with  his  half-unwilling  followers  through  the 
Forest  of  Dean,  towards  Gloucester  ;  meaning  there  to 
cross  the  Severn  and  join  the  English  insurrectionists.  But 
a  continual  rain  of  ten  days,  remembered  long  after  by 
the  name  of  the  "  Great  Water,"  had  so  swollen  the  river 
that  it  was  then  overflowing  the  country,  and  neither  he 
could  pass  to  his  confederated  friends,  nor  they  advance 
to  join  him.  His  Welsh  followers,  wearied  and  disap- 
pointed, and  being,  perhaps,  intimidated  by  Richard's  pro- 
clamation, which  was  issued  from  Leicester  on  October  23, 
gradually  deserted  him,  and  Buckingham  fled  in  despair 
to  the  house  of  one  Ralph  Banaster  at  Shrewsbury,  an 
old  servant  of  his  family.  But  the  proclamation,  promising 
a  large  pecuniary  reward,  pursued  him ;  and  either  tempted 
by  this,  or  apprehending  his  own  danger  in  sheltering  a 
rebel,  Banaster  betrayed  his  master  to  the  Sheriff  of 
Shropshire. 

Buckingham,  after  helping  Richard  to  his  crown, 

"  To  buckle  fortune  on  his  back," 

became  his  first  victim,  and  was  beheaded  at  Salisbury  in 
the  yard  of  the  "  Blue  Boar"  Inn,  which  stood  on  the  site 
of  the  present  "  Saracen's  Head,"  November  2, 1483.  Near 
the  spot  where  the  execution  is  supposed  to  have  taken 
place,  a  headless  skeleton,  without  the  right  hand,  was 
exhumed  in  1838,  and  is  thought  to  have  been  that  of  the 
unfortunate  Stafford. 


CHAPTER    X. 


Bewburs  in  tbe  Sljteentb  Century 

The  Manorial  History. — The  Manor  of  Newbury  iDestowed  by  Henry 
VIII.  upon  Lady  Jane  Seymour,  and  thence  to  the  Princess  Elizabeth, 
afterwards  Queen. — Grant  of  the  Tolls  of  the  Markets,  &;c. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — Edward,  Duke  of  Buckingham, 
at  Newbury,  1507. — The  History  of  John  Winchcombe,  otherwise  called 
"Jack  of  Newbury." — "The  Newberrie  Archers. " — Winchcombe  enter- 
tains Henry  VIII.  and  Queen  Catharine  at  his  house  in  Newbury. — His 
death  in  1519,  and  burial  in  Newbury  Church. — The  remains  of  his 
house  in  Newbury. — The  Dolmans. — Visits  of  the  Protector  Somerset  to 
Newbury  in  1537,  and  of  Edward  VI.  to  Newbury  in  1551. — Constables 
of  the  town,  1522 — ^1533. — Religious  Prosecutions  at  Newbury  in  Queen 
Mary's  reign. — The  Grammar  School,  1559. — Queen  Elizabeth  visits 
Newbury,  1568 — Muster  Roll  of  Inhabitants  of  Newbury  able  to  bear 
arms,  1569. — ^St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  1577-99. — Charter  granted 
to  the  borough  of  Newbury  by  Queen  Elizabeth  in  1596. 

THE  Manor  of  Newbury  having  become  vested  in  the 
Crown  was  assigned  by  Henry  VHI.  to  his  consort 
Lady  Jane,  Queen  of  England,  mother  of  Edward  VI.,  for 
her  j'ointure.  Upon  the  death  of  Henry  VHI.,  in  1547, 
the  manor  passed  to  his  son  Edward  VI.,  who  in  the 
fourth  year  of  his  reign,  1550,  in  fulfilment  of  the  will  of 
his  father,  the  late  king,  and  with  the  advice  of  his 
Council,  granted  it  with  all  appurtenances  to  his  sister  the 
Lady  Elizabeth,  afterwards  Queen :  together  with  vari- 
ous lands  in  several  counties,  including  the  lordship  and 
manor  of  Donnington,  "  with  all  the  deer  and  beasts  in 
the  park,"  the  Castle  of  Donnington,  the  manor  of  Hamp- 
stead-Marshal,  &c.,  the  whole  being  of  the  yearly  value 
of  ;£'3,io6  I3J.  i^d.,  and  formerly  parcel  of  the  lands  and 
possessions  of  the  jointure  of  Lady  Jane  Seymour,  Queen 
of  England.  To  be  held  by  a  yearly  rent  of  ;^io6  os.  i^d., 
to  be  paid  to  the  Court  of  Augmentations,  or  until  the 


xgo  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

Councillors  named  by  King  Henry  should  arrange  a  mar- 
riage for  her,  in  accordance  with  the  said  will  °. 

The  above-mentioned  Letters  Patent  were  surrendered 
on  April  23  of  the  following  year  (1551),  by  the  Lady 
Elizabeth  personally  appearing  before  the  King  in  his 
Court  of  Chancery  ;  and  the  enrolment  was  accordingly 
cancelled.  On  this  surrender  another  grant  of  the  Manor 
of  Newbury  was  made  to  the  Princess  in  substitution  of 
the  former  grant,  together  with  a  great  number  of  other 
manors  and  lordships,  the  annual  value  of  the  whole  being 
estimated  at  ;^3,o64  i/j.  ?>\d. ;  to  be  held  at  an  annual 
rent  of  £\0()  IJJ.  "jd.,  for  life,  or  until  marriage  as  be- 
fore ^ 

Queen  Elizabeth,  by  Letters  Patent  of  July  i,  1554, 
demised  to  Gabriel  Cox,  John  More,  Bartholomew  Yate, 
and  Henry  Cox,  for  the  Use  of  all  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Newbury — 

"  All  our  Stallage  and  all  our  Stalls  in  the  Town  of  Newbury 
aforesaid,  which  said  Stallage  and  Stalls  amount  together  to  the 
annual  Rent  of  36J.  Zd.,  and  all  profits,  &c. 

"And  all  Tolls,  Piccage,  and  other  Profits  yearly  and  from 
time  to  time  coming,  growing,  happening,  or  arising  from  the 
Markets  and  Fairs  holden  and  to  be  holden  in  the  Town  of 
Newbury  aforesaid,  all  which  premises  were  parcel  of  the  posses- 
sions lately  assigned  to  us  before  our  Accession  to  the  Crown  of 
this  our  Realm  of  England. 

"  To  hold  to  the  said  Gabriel  Cox  and  others  their  executors 
and  assigns  to  the  Use  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  New- 
bury for  2 1  years,  rendering  to  the  Queen  and  her  Heirs  for  the 
said  Stallage  36^-.  8^.  yearly,  and  for  the  said  Toll  and  Piccage 
3x.  4^." 

INCIDENTS   CONNECTED   WITH   NEWBURY. 

Edward,  Duke  of  Buckingham,  at  Newbury, 

1507. 

Edward  Stafford,  Duke  of  Buckingham,  Lord  High  Con- 
stable of  England,  son  of  Henry   Stafford,  executed  at 

■  Pat.,  4  Edw.  VI.,  pt.  3,  m.  25. 
"  Pat.,  5  Edw.  VI.,  pt.  4,  m.  11. 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  191 

Salisbury  in  1483,  by  Katherine  Woodville,  sister  to  the 
queen  of  Edward  IV. 

"  Bounteous  Buckingham,  the  mirrour  of  all  courtesy," 
was  at  Newbury  in  the  year  1507,  on  his  way  from  Thorn- 
bury  Castle  to  Richmond.  The  Duke  and  his  retainers 
slept  the  first  night  at  Chippenham  (February  28),  the 
second  at  Newbury,  the  third  at  Reading,  the  fourth  at 
Brentford,  and  reached  Richmond  on  the  fifth.  He  tra- 
velled attended  by  20  gentry,  14  valets,  and  29  grooms ; 
and  had  59  horses  used  by  his  household,  and  28  by 
himself'^. 

In  1521  the  Duke  was  accused  of  high  treason  "for 
certain  words  spoken,"  which  were  taken  as  evidence  of 
disloyal  views,  and  the  principal  witness  against  him  was 
his  cousin  and  steward,  Charles  Knyvett.  The  Duke  fell 
by  the  hand  of  the  executioner,  on  Tower  Hill,  May  17, 
1 52 1,  and  was  the  fourth  of  his  family  in  succession  who 
had  met  with  a  violent  death. 

The  Duke  is  made  by  Shakespeare  to  say,  after  his 

arraignment — 

"  I  had  my-trial, 
And  must  needs  say  a  noble  one  ;  which  makes  me 
Happier  than  my  wretched  father. 
Yet  thus  far  we  are  one  in  fortunes, — Both 
Fell  by  our  servants,  by  those  men  we  lov'd  most ; 
A  most  unnatural  and  faithless  service !  " 

John  Winchcombe,  or  "Jack  of  Newbury." 

In  the  sixteenth  century  the  town  of  Newbury  was  one 
of  the  most  flourishing  seats  of  the  cloth  trade,  and  sent 
two  burgesses  to  Parliament  in  Edward  I.'s  time,  and 
three  members  or  representatives  to  the  great  council 
convened  at  Westminster  by  Edward  III.,  "  concerning 
trade  and  manufactures.''  It  was  the  cloth  trade  of  this 
town  which  produced  its  popular  hero,  the  prosperous 
clothier,  who,  for  three  centuries,  if  not  for  a  longer 
period,  has  been  distinguished  by  the  familiar  appellation 
of  "  Jack  of  Newbury." 

From  Winchcombe's  will  we  find  that  Jack's  surname 
'  Stafford  Household  Book,  Archseologia,  vol.  xxv. 


192  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

was  Smallwoode,  and  it  is  probable  that  on  his  becoming 
a  person  of  importance  he  dropped,  as  was   frequently 
done,  his  proper  patronymic,  and  assumed  the  name  of 
his  birthplace,  Winchcombe,  in  Gloucestershire,   a  place 
also  known  for  its  extensive  clothing  trade  ^.     Respecting 
Jack's  parentage  and  early  days  we  have  no  information  ; 
but  there  is  a  tradition  current  at  Winchcombe  that  Jack 
was  a  novitiate  in  the  monastery  there,  and  becoming 
wearied  of  the  seclusion  and  restrictions  of  the  cloister, 
escaped  from  his  confinement,  and  made  his  way  to  New- 
bury.    Here  he  entered  the  service  of  the  clothier  whose 
widow  he  afterwards  married,  and  became  not  only  pos- 
sessed of  a  wife  but  also  of  a  flourishing  business ;  from 
which  time  his  life  seems  to  have  been  one  of  uninter- 
rupted success. 

Deloney's  humorous  old  black-letter  pamphlet,  en- 
titled The  most  Pleasant  and  delectable  Historie  of  John 
Winchcombe,  otherwise  called  Jacke  of  Newberie,  was 
licensed  to  T.  Myllington  on  March  7,  1596,  and  it  was 
undoubtedly  published  soon  after  that  period  ;  but  no  copy 
of  so  early  a  date  is  now  known  to  exist,  the  earliest  one 
to  be  met  with  being  the  ninth  edition,  printed  by  Robert 
Young,  and  published  by  Cuthbert  Wright,  London,  1633. 
This  complete  version  was  several  times  republished,  but 
in  the  last  century  abridged  editions  of  it  were  sometimes 
issued,  and  the  modern  chap  book  copies  are  generally 
mere  fragments  of  the  original.  "  This  romance,"  says 
Mr.  Halliwell  Phillips,  in  a  paper  read  at  the  Congress  of 
the  British  Archaeological  Association,  held  at  Newbury 
in  1859,  "although  highly  illustrative  of  old  manners  and 
customs,  is  of  very  small  literary  merit.  It  chiefly  con- 
sists of  a  number  of  desultory  stories,  some  of  which  have 
no  relation  to  the  subject  of  the  history,  and  ends,  like 
'  Rasselas,'  with  a  conclusion  in  which  nothing  is  con- 
cluded." 

''  In  the  parish  register  of  Winchcombe  are  the  following  entries  : — 

"  Anno  Dni.  1539. 

Junii  28.  Robertus  filius  Johannes  Smallwode,  sepult. " 

"Anno  Dni.  1541. 

Novembris  27.  Margareta  Smawlwode,  purific.'' 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century..  193 

Deloney's  work  opens  with  the  following  description  of 
"  Jack  of  Newbury:" — 

"  In  the  dayes  of  King  Henry  the  Eighth,  that  most  noble  and 
victorious  Prince,  in  the  beginning  of  his  reigne,  John  Winch 
combe,  a  broadcloth  Weaver,  dwelt  in  Newberie,  a  towne  in 
Barkshire  :  who,  for  that  he  was  a  man  of  merrie  disposition,  and 
honest  conversation,  was  wondrous  well  beloved  of  rich  and 
poore,  especially  because  in  every  place  where  hee  came,  he  would 
spend  his  money  with  the  best,  and  was  not  any  time  found  a 
churl  of  his  purse.  Wherefore  beeing  so  good  a  companion  he 
was  called  of  old  and  young  Jacke  of  Newberie :  a  man  so  gen- 
erally well  knowne  in  all  his  Countrye  for  his  good  fellowship, 
that  he  could  goe  in  no  place  but  he  found  acquaintance ;  by 
meanes  whereof  Jack  could  no  sooner  get  a  Crowne,  but  straight 
hee  found  meanes  to  spend  it ;  yet  had  he  ever  this  care,  that 
hee  would  alwayes  keepe  himselfe  in  comely  and  decent  apparel, 
neither  at  any  time  would  hee  be  overcome  in  drinke,  but  so 
discreetly  behave  himselfe  with  honest  mirth,  and  pleasant  con- 
ceits, that  he  was  every  Gentleman's  companion." 

Whilst  Jack  had  long  led  this  pleasant  life  his  master 
died,  and  his  widow  entertained  a  strong  affection  for  him, 
observing  his  orderly  habits  and  attention  to  business. 
Being  well  assured  of  his  mistress's  affection,  and,  as  the 
author  quaintly  observes,  "  guessing  by  the  yarne  it  would 
prove  a  good  web,"  Jack  received  her  addresses  very 
coolly,  and  even  recommended  her  to  accept  the  hand  of 
either  of  the  several  other  suitors,  speaking  in  praise  of 
each.  The  first  suitor  was  a  Tanner,  "  a  man  of  good 
wealth "  and  a  widower,  dwelling  at  Wallingford ;  the 
second  a  bachelor,  "  by  occupation  a  Taylor,  dwelling  at 
Hungerford  ;"  the  third  "the  Parson  of  Spinhomeland." 
The  widow,  however,  gave  plain  reasons  for  rejecting  all ; 
but  thinking  to  induce  an  offer  on  the  part  of  Jack  she 
invites  them  to  dinner — a  banquet  which  is  thus  amusingly 
described  by  Deloney  : — 

"  Against  Thursday  she  dressed  her  house  fine  and  brave,  and 
set  herself  in  her  best  apparel.  The  tailor,  nothing  forgetting  his 
promise,  sent  to  the  widow  a  good  fat  pig  and  a  goose ;  the 
parson,  being  as  mindful  as  he,  sent  to  her  house  a  couple  of  fat 

O 


194  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

rabbits  and  a  capon ;  and  the  tanner  came  himself,  and  brought 
a  good  shoulder  of  mutton  and  half-a-dozen  chickens — besides, 
he  brought  a  good  gallon  of  sack  and  half-a-pound  of  the  best 
sugar.  The  widow  received  this  good  meat,  set  her  maid  to 
dress  it,  and  when  dinner  time  drew  near  the  table  was  covered, 
and  every  other  thing  provided  in  convenient  and  comely  sort. 
At  length,  the  guests  being  come,  the  widow  bade  them  all 
heartily  welcome.  The  priest  and  the  tanner,  seeing  the  tailor, 
mused  what  he  did  there.  The  tailor,  on  the  other  side,  mar- 
velled as  much  at  their  presence,  thus  looking  strangely  one  at 
another.  At  length  the  widow  came  out  of  the  kitchen  in  a  fair 
train  gown,  stuck  full  of  silver  pins,  a  fine  white  cap  on  her  head, 
with  cuts  of  curious  needlework  under  the  same,  and  an  apron 
before  her  as  white  as  the  driven  snow.  Then,  very  modestly, 
making  courtesy  to  them  all,  she  requested  them  to  sit  down; 
but  they  straining  courtesy  the  one  with  the  other,  the  widow, 
with  a  smiling  countenance,  took  the  parson  by  the  hand,  saying — 
'  Sir,  as  you  stand  highest  in  the  Church,  so  is  it  meet  you  should 
sit  highest  at  the  table,  and  therefore,  I  pray  you,  sit  down  there 
on  the  bench  side.'  '  And  sir,'  said  she  to  the  tanner,  '  as  age  is 
to  be  honoured  before  youth  for  their  experience,  so  are  they  to 
sit  above  bachelors  for  their  gravity ;'  and  so  she  sat  him  down 
on  this  side  the  table,  over  against  the  parson.  Then,  coming  to 
the  tailor,  she  said — '  Bachelor,  though  your  lot  be  the  last,  your 
welcome  is  equal  with  the  first ;  and  seeing  your  place  points  out 
itself,  I  pray  you  take  a  cushion  and  sit  down.'  And  now, 
quoth  she,  '  to  make  the  board  equal,  and  because  it  hath  been 
an  old  saying  that  three  things  are  to  small  purpose  if  the  fourth 
be  away,  if  so  it  may  stand  with  your  favour,  I  will  call  in  a  gossip 
of  mine  to  supply  this  void  place.'  '  With  a  good  will,'  quoth 
they.  With  that  she  brought  in  an  old  woman,  with  scant  ever  a 
good  tooth  in  her  head,  and  placed  her  right  against  the  bachelor. 
Then  was  the  meat  brought  to  the  board  in  due  order  by  the 
widow's  servants,  her  man  John  being  chiefest  servitor.  The 
widow  sat  down  at  the  table's  end  between  the  parson  and  the 
tanner,  who,  in  very  good  sort,  carved  meat  for  them  all,  her  man 
John  waiting  on  the  table.  After  tliey  had  sitten  awhile,  and 
well  refreshed  themselves,  the  widow,  taking  a  crystal  glass  filled 
with  claret  wine,  drunk  unto  the  whole  company,  and  bade  them 
welcome.  The  parson  pledged  her,  and  so  did  all  the  rest  in  due 
order ;  but  still  in  their  company  the  cup  passed  over  the  poor 


Newbury  in  tite  Sixteenth  Century.  195 

old  woman's  nose,  insomuch  that  at  length  the  old  woman,  in  a 
merry  vein,  spake  thus  unto  the  company:  'I  have  had  much  good 
meat  among  you,  but,  as  for  the  drink,  I  can  nothing  recommend 
it.'  'Alas!  good  gossip,'  quoth  the  widow,  '  I  perceive  that  no 
man  hath  drunk  to  thee  yet.'  '  No,  truly,'  quoth  the  old  woman, 
'  for  old  men  have  such  joy  in  young  chickens,  and  bachelors  in 
pig's  flesh  take  such  delight,  that  an  old  sow,  a  tough  hen,  or  a 
grey  rabbit,  are  not  accepted;  and  so  it  is  seen  by  me,  else  I 
should  have  been  better  remembered.'  '  Well,  old  woman,'  quoth 
the  parson,  '  take  here  the  leg  of  a  capon  to  stay  thy  mouth.' 
'  Now,  by  St.  Anne,  I  dare  not,'  quoth  she.  '  No  !  wherefore  ?' 
said  the  parson.  '  Marry,  for  fear  lest  you  should  go  home  with 
a  crutch,'  quoth  she.  The  tailor  said,  '  Then  taste  here  a  piece 
of  goose.'  '  Nay,'  said  the  old  woman,  '  let  goose  go  to  his 
kind ;  you  have  a  young  appetite,  eat  it  yourself,  and  much  good 
may  it  do  your  heart,  sweet  young  man.'  '  The  old  woman  lacks 
most  of  her  teeth,'  quoth  the  tanner,  '  and  therefore  a  piece  of 
tender  chick  is  fittest  for  her.'  '  If  I  did  lack  as  many  of  my  teeth,' 
quoth  the  old  woman,  '.as  you  lack  points  of  good  husbandry, 
I  doubt  I  should  starve  before  it  were  long.'  At  this  the  widow 
laughed  heartily,  and  the  men  were  stricken  into  such  a  dump, 
that  they  had  not  a  word  to  say.  Dinner  being  ended,  the  widow 
with  the  rest  rose  from  the  table,  and  after  they  had  sitten  a 
pretty  while  merrily  talking,  the  widow  called  her  man  John  to 
bring  her  a  bowl  of  fresh  ale,  which  he  did.  Then  said  the 
widow :  '  My  masters,  now  for  your  courtesy  and  cost  I  heartily 
thank  you  all ;  and  in  requital  of  all  your  favour,  love,  and  good 
will,  I  drink  to  you,  giving  you  free  liberty  when  you  please  to 
depart.'  At  these  words  her  suitors  looked  so  sourly  upon  one 
another,  as  if  they  had  been  newly  champing  of  crabs ;  which, 
when  the  tailor  heard,  shaking  up  himself  in  his  new  russett 
jerkin,  and  setting  his  hat  on  one  side,  he  began  to  speak  thus : — 
'  I  trust,  sweet  widow,'  quoth  he,  '  you  remember  to  what  end  my 
coming  was  hither  to-day  \  I  have  long  time  been  a  suitor  unto 
you,  and  this  day  you  promised  to  give  me  a  direct  answer.' 
"Tis  true,'  quoth  she,  'and  so  I  have;  for  your  love  I  give  you 
thanks,  and  when  you  please  you  may  depart.'  '  Shall  I  not 
have  you?'  quoth  the  tailor.  'Alas!'  quoth  the  widow,  'you 
come  too  late.'  '  Good  friend,'  quoth  the  tanner,  '  it  is  manners 
for  young  men  to  let  their  elders  be  served  before  them ;  to  what 
end  should  I  be  here  if  the  widow  had  bade  thee?  a  flat  denial 

O  2 


igS  Newbiiry'in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

is  fit  for  a  saucy  suitor ;  but  what  sayest  thou  to  me,  fair  widow  ?' 
quoth  the  tanner.  '  Sir,'  said  she,  '  because  you  are  so  sharp  set, 
I  would  wish  you  as  soon  as  you  can  to  wed.'  '  Appoint  the  time 
yourself,'  quoth  the  tanner.  '  Even  as  soon,'  quoth  she,  '  as  you 
can  get  a  wife,  and  hope  not  after  me,  for  I  am  already  promised.' 
'  Now,  tanner,  you  may  take  your  place  with  the  tailor,'  quoth 
the  parson ;  '  for  indeed  the  widow  is  for  no  man  but  myself.' 
'  Master  parson,'  quoth  she,  '  many  have  run  near  the  goal,  and 
yet  lost  the  game,  and  I  cannot  help  it,  though  your  hope  be  in 
vain ;  besides,  parsons  are  but  newly  suifered  to  have  wives,  and 
for  my  part  I  will  have  none  of  the  first  head.'  '  What,'  quoth 
the  tailor,  '  is  your  merriment  grown  to  this  reckoning  ?  I  never 
spent  a  pig  and  a  goose  to  so  bad  a  purpose  before.  I  promise 
you,  when  I  came  in,  I  verily  thought  that  you  were  invited  by 
the  widow  to  make  her  and  me  sure  together,  and  that  the  jolly 
tanner  was  brought  to  be  a  witness  to  the  contract,  and  the  old 
woman  fetched  in  for  the  same  purpose;  else  I  would  never 
have  put  up  so  many  dry  bobs  at  her  hands.'  'And  surely,'  quoth 
the  tanner,  '  I  knowing  thee  to  be  a  ta,ilor,  did  assuredly  think 
that  thou  wast  appointed  to  come  and  take  measure  for  our 
wedding  apparel.'  '  But  now  we  are  all  deceived,'  quoth  the 
parson,  '  and  therefore,  as  we  came  fools,  so  we  may  depart 
hence  like  asses.'  '  That  is  as  you  interpret  the  matter,'  said  the 
widow,  'for  I,  ever  doubting  that  a  concluding  answer  would 
breed  a  farce  in  the  end  among  you  every  one,  thought  it  better 
to  be  done  at  one  instant,  and  in  mine  own  house,  than  at  sundry 
times,  and  in  common  taverns;  and  as  for  the  meat  you  sent, 
as  it  was  unrequested  of  me,  so  had  you  your  part  thereof, 
and  if  you  think  good  to  take  home  the  remainder,  prepare  your 
wallets,  and  you  shall  have  it.'  '  Nay,  widow,'  quoth  they,  '  al- 
though we  have  lost  our  labours,  we  have  not  altogether  lost  our 
manners ;  that  which  you  have  keep,  and  God  send  to  us  better 
luck,  and  to  you  your  heart's  desire,'  and  with  that  they  de- 
parted ^" 

The  author's  intention  in  all  this,  and  much  more  dis- 
cursive virriting  of  a  similar  character,  is  to  shew  that  the 
widows  is  determined  to  marry  John  Winchcombe.  At 
length  she  carries  her  point  by  a  stratagem,  marrying  him 
almost  against  his  will  at  the  chapel  attached  to  the  Hos- 

•  The  text  of  the  pamphlet  in  the  above  summary  has  been  slightly 
modernised. 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  197 

pital  of  St.  Bartholomew.  This  union,  according  to  the 
novelist,  was  not  a  very  happy  one.  His  wife  is  given 
to  gadding  about,  and  staying  out  late  at  night— a  practice 
which  gives  the  author  the  opportunity  of  introducing  the 
following  anecdote : — 

"  Thus  the  time  passed  on,  till  on  a  certain  day  she  had  been 
abroad  in  her  wonted  manner,  and  staying  forth  very  late,  he 
shut  the  doors  and  went  to  bed.  About  midnight  she  comes  to 
the  door,  and  knocks  to  come  in,  to  whom  he,  looking  out  of  the 
window,  answered  in  this  sort,  '  What !  is  it  you  that  keeps  such 
a  knocking?  I  pray  you  get  hence,  and  request  the  constable  to 
provide  you  a  bed,  for  this  night  you  shall  have  no  lodging 
here.'  *I  hope,'  quoth  she,  'you  will  not  shut  me  out  of  doors 
like  a  dog.'  '  All  is  one  to  me,'  quoth  he,  '  knowing  no  reason 
but  that  as  you  have  stayed  out  all  day  for  your  delight,  so  you 
may  lie  forth  all  night  for  my  pleasure.'  The  woman,  hearing 
this,  made  piteous  moans,  and  in  very  humble  sort  entreated  him 
to  let  her  in,  and  to  pardon  this  offence,  and  while  she  lived  vowed 
never  to  do  the  like.  Her  husband  at  length  being  moved  with 
pity  towards  her,  slipped  on  his  shoes,  and  came  down  in  his 
shirt.  The  door  being  opened,  in  she  went  quaking,  and  as  he 
was  about  to  lock  it  again,  in  a  very  sorrowful  manner  she  said, , 
'  Alack,  husband,  what  hap  have  I  ?  My  wedding-ring  was  even 
now  in  my  hand,  and  I  have  let  it  fall  about  the  door ;  good, 
sweet  John,  come  forth  with  the  candle,  and  help  me  to  seek  it.' 
The  man  did  so,  and  while  he  sought  for  that  which  was  not 
there  to  be  found,  she  whipped  into  the  house,  and  quickly 
clapping  to  the  door,  she  locked  her  husband  out,  and  treated 
him  in  the  sarne  manner  in  which  she  had  herself  been  served." 

John  Winchcombe  was  not,  however,  long  troubled  with 
these  kinds  of  adventures,  his  wife  dying,  leaving  him 
"  wondrous  wealthie."  Jack,  being  a  widower  and  well-to- 
do,  "  had  the  choice  of  many  wives,  men's  daughters  of 
good  credit  and  widowes  of  great  wealth ;  notwithstanding 
he  bent  his  onely  like  to  one  of  his  own  servants,"  the 
daughter  of  a  poor  man  living  at  Aylesbury.  Her  father, 
joyful  at  the  news  of  his  daughter's  good  fortune,  speedily 
made  his  way  to  Newbury,  and  was  received  in  the  most 
friendly  manner  by  Jack,  who  "  after  he  had  made  him  , 


igS  Newiury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

good  cheere,"  shewed  him  over  his  house ;  and  then  over 
his  factory  while  his  people  were  at  work.  Deloney  gives 
a  description  of  the  busy  scene,  which  has  frequently  been 
printed. 

Deloney  also  gives  the  following  account  of  Jack's  second 
wedding  : — 

"  The  Bride  being  attyred  in  a  Gowne  of  sheepes  russet,  and 
a  Kirtle  of  fine  woosted,  her  head  attyred  with  a  billiment  of  gold, 
and  her  hair  as  yellow  as  gold  hanging  downe  behinde  her,  which 
was  curiously  combed  and  pleated,  according  to  the  manner  in 
those  dayes.  Shee  was  led  to  Church  betweene  two  sweete  boys 
with  Bride  laces  and  Rosemary  tied  about  their  silken  sleeves, 
the  one  of  them  was  sonne  to  Sir  Thomas  Parry,  the  other  to  Sir 
Francis  Hungerford  :  then  was  there  a  faire  Bride  cup  of  silver 
and  gilt  carried  before  her,  wherein  was  a  goodly  braunch  of 
Rosemary  gilded  very  faire,  hung  about  with  silken  Ribonds  of 
all  colours  :  Next  was  there  a  noyse  of  musicians  that  played  all 
the  way  before  her ;  after  her  came  all  the  chiefest  maydens  of 
the  Countrie,  some  bearing  great  Bride  Cakes,  and  some  garlands 
of  wheat  finely  gilded,  and  so  she  passed  unto  the  Church." 

The  bridegroom's  friends  included  "  divers  Merchant 
strangers  of  the  Stilyard  "  from  London.  The  ceremony 
over,  the  wedding  festival  was  continued  for  ten  days  "  to 
the  great  reliefe  of  the  poore  ;"  Rhenish  wine  was  as  plen- 
tiful as  beer,  for  the  merchants  had  sent  ten  tuns  of  their 
best  from  the  Stilyard.  Jack  did  not  forget  the  humble 
parents  of  the  bride.  On  their  departure  after  the  wed- 
ding he  presented  his  father-in-law  with  ;^20,  and  broad- 
cloth enough  to  make  him  a  coat;  and  to  his  mother-in-law 
sufficient  for  a  holiday  gown,  with  injunction  that  "  when 
this  is  worne  out,  come  to  me  and  fetch  more." 

Not  long  after  Jack's  second  marriage  Henry  VIII., 
having  been  induced  by  the  Emperor  Maximilian  and 
Pope  Julius  II.  to  join  them  against  France,  invaded  that 
kingdom,  where  he  gained  some  conquests,  but  did  not 
turn  them  to  his  advantage  as  he  might  have  done,  and. 
finally  concluded  peace  with  the  French  King,  Louis  XII. 
About  the  same  time  James  IV.  of  Scotland,  who  had 
given  assistance  to  Louis,  invaded  England. 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  199 

"  Whereupon,"  says  Deloney,  "  on  the  sodaine  every  man  was 
appointed  according  to  his  abilitie  to  be  readie  with  his  men  and 
furniture,  at  an  houres  warning  on  paine  of  death.  Jack  of  New^ 
berie  was  commanded  by  the  Justice  to  set  out  sixe  men,  foure 
armed  with  Pikes,  and  two  Calivers,  and  to  meet  the  Queene  in 
Buckinghamshire,  who  was  there  raising  a  great  power  to  goe 
against  the  faithlesse  King  of  Scots.  When  Jack  had  received 
this  charge,  he  came  home  in  all  haste,  and  cut  out  a  whole 
broadcloth  for  horsemen's  coates,  and  so  much  more  as  would 
make  up  coates  for  the  number  of  a  hundred  men.  In  a  short 
time  he  had  made  readie  fiftie  tall  men,  well  mounted  in  white 
coates,  and  red  caps  with  yellow  feathers.  Demilances  in  their 
hands ;  and  fiftie  armed  men  on  foot  with  Pikes,  also  in  white 
coates  ;  every  man  so  expert  in  the  handling  of  his  weapon  as  few 
better  were  found  in  the  field.  Hiniself  likewise  in  compleat 
armour  on  a  goodly  Barbed  horse,  and  foremost  in  the  company 
with  a  lance  in  his  hand,  and  a  faire  plume  of  yellow  feathers  in 
his  creste,  and  in  this  sort  he  came  before  the  Justices  :  who  at 
the  first  approach  did  not  a  little  wonder  what  he  should  be.  At 
length  when  they  had  discovered  who  he  was,  the  Justices  and 
most  of  the  gentlemen  gave  him  great  commendations  for  this  his 
good  and  forward  minde  shewed  in  this  action." 

It  wrjll  be  seen  that,  according  to  this  historical  romance, 
"Jack  of  Newbury"  furnished  100  men  (50  horsemen  and 
50  men  on  foot)  fully  equipped  for  the  King's  service, 
instead  of  the  six  which  he  was  ordered  to  supply.  The 
rendesvouz  appointed  for  the  assembly  of  the  levies  raised 
by  the  counties  of  Berkshire,  Hampshire,  and  Wiltshire, 
was  at  Stony  Stratford,  where  Queen  Catharine  was  en- 
gaged in  collecting  forces  to  march  to  the  front  if  required. 
Hither  Jack  and  his  gallant  band  proceeded  with  the  other 
Berkshire  men  under  the  command  of  Sir  Henry  Engle- 
field,  and  came  into  the  presence  of  the  Queen,  who,  seeing 
the  hundred'  white-coated  soldiers,  inquired  who  they  were 
and  who  led  them.  Sir  Henry  Englefield  replied  that 
their  leader  was  Jack  of  Newbury,  and  that  his  followers 
were  his  own  servants.  "  Good  Sir  Henry,"  said  the 
Queen,  "bring  the  man  to  me  that  I  may  see  him  !"  This 
was  done.    Jack,  with  all  his  men,  alighted,  and  fell  on 


200  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

their  knees  before  the  Queen.  Her  Majesty  said,  "  Gen- 
tlemen, arise  !"  and  putting  forth  her  hand  gave  it  Jack 
to  kiss.  "  Most  gracious  Queen,"  said  he,  "  gentleman 
I  am  none,  nor  the  son  of  a  gentleman,  but  a  poor  clothier, 
whose  lands  are  his  looms,  having  no  other  rents  but  what 
I  can  get  from  the  backs  of  little  sheep,  nor  can  I  claim 
any  other  cognizance  but  a  wooden  shuttle.  Nevertheless, 
most  gracious  Queen,  these  my  poor  servants  and  myself, 
with  life  and  goods,  are  ready  at  your  Majesty's  command, 
not  only  to  spend  our  blood,  but  to  lose  our  lives  in  defence 
of  our  king  and  country."  Her  Majesty  replied — "Would 
to  God  that  the  King  had  many  such  clothiers." 

The  Queen  having  reviewed  her  gallant  troops,  the  army 
was  "  set  in  order,  and  in  warlike  manner  began  their  march 
towards  Flodden,  where  King  James  had  pitcht  his  field  ; 
but  as  they  passed  along  with  Drum  and  Trumpet,  there 
came  a  Post  from  the  valiant  Earl  of  Surrey,  with  tydings 
to  her  Grace  that  now  she  might  dismisse  her  Army,  for 
that  it  had  pleased  God  to  grant  the  noble  Earle  victorie 
over  the  Scots,  whom  he  had  by  his  wisdome  and  valiancie 
vanquisht  in  fight,  and  slayne  their  King  in  Battel." 

Whereupon  the  Queen  dismissed  her  forces,  and  joyfully 
proceeded  to  London.  But  before  doing  so  she  is  described 
as  placing  "  a  riche  chaine  of  gold "  about  the  neck  of 
"Jack  of  Newbury,"  who,  with  the  rest  of  the  would-be 
warriors,  "  gave  a  great  shout  saying,  God  save  Katherine, 
the  noble  Queene  of  England,"  and  then  returned  to  their 
own  homes. 

Although  we  have  no  actual  evidence  to  shew  that  any 
Newbury  men  did  special  service  in  the  celebrated  contest 
on  the  battle-field  of  Flodden  in  15 13,  there  is  some  reason 
to  suppose  that  certain  levies  raised  in  the  town  may 
have  so  distinguished  themselves.  The  following  old  and 
probably  contemporary  historical  ballad,  entitled  "  Flodden 
Field,  or  The  Newberrie  Archers,"  describes  the  prowess  of 
"  The  Laddes  of  Newberrie "  in  glowing  terms  and  cir-' 
cumstantial  detail. 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  201. 

"Flodden  Field. 
The  Newberrie  Archers.     An  Old  Historical  Song^. 

"  Come  Archers  leame  the  News  I  telle 

To  the  Honoure  of  your  Arte, 
The  Scottyshe  Kinge  at  Flodden  felle 

Bye  the  poynte  of  an  Englyshe  Darte. 
Thoughe  Fyre  and  Pyke  dyd  Wond'rous  thynges 

More  wonders  stylle  dyd  wee, 
And  ev'ry  Tongue  with  rapture  syngs 

Of  the  Laddes  of  Newberrie. 

"  The  Bonnie  Laddes  of  Westmorelande 

And  the  Chesshyre  Laddes  were  there, 
With  Glee  theye  took  theyre  Bows  in  Haude 

And  wythe  shoutes  disturb'd  the  Ayre. 
Awaye  they  sent  the  Grey  Goose  Wynge, 

Eche  kylle'd  his  two  or  three, 
Yet  none  soe  loude  wythe  fame  dyd  rynge 

As  the  Laddes  of  Newberrie. 

"  They  swore  to  scayle  the  Mountayne  bolde. 

Where  some  in  vayne  hadde  try'de  ; 
That  theyre  Toes  myghte  take  the  better  holde 

Theyre  Bootes  theye  caste  asyde. 
Barefooted  soone  theye  reach'd  the  hyghte, 

Twas  a  gudelie  syghte  to  see 
Howe  faste  the  Scottes  were  putte  to  flyghte 

By  the  Laddes  of  Newberrie. 

"  Lord  Stanlie  sawe  wythe  muche  delyghte. 

And  loude  was  heard  to  saye, 
Eche  oughte  by  Jove  to  be  a  Knyghte, 

For  to  theme  wee  owe  the  Daye. 
The  Chesshyre  Laddes  began  the  route, 

And  the  Kendall  Boys  soe  free, 
But  none  of  theme  all  have  foughte  more  stoute 

Than  the  Laddes  of  Newberrie. 

"Now  God  pres'rve  our  Lord  the  Kynge, 
Who  travaill's  farre  in  France, 
And  let  us  all  of  Bowmen  synge 

Whyle  rounde  our  Cuppes  wee  Daunce. 

Printed  in  the  Hist,  and  Antiq.  of  Newbury  and  its  Environs,  1839. 


202  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

The  Chesshyre  Laddes  were  bryske  and  brave, 

And  the  Kendall  Laddes  as  free, 
But  none  surpass'd,  or  I'm  a  Knave, 

The  Laddes  of  Newberrie." 

••Deloney  states  that  "  about  the  tenth  year  of  the  reign 
of  Henry  the  Eighth  "  (1518)  Jack  had  the  honour  of  enter- 
taining the  King  and  Queen  Catharine  at  Newbury,  who 
were  accompanied  by  Cardinal  Wolsey  and  a  large  number 
of  the  nobility  s.  The  Court  lodged  at  the  jolly  clothier's 
house  in  Northbrook-street,  who  appears,  if  we  may  rely 
on  Deloney's  description,  to  have  exhibited  the  most  un- 
bounded hospitality  on  the  occasion.  We  are  told  that 
"  all  the  floore  where  the  King  sate  was  covered  with  broad- 
cloths instead  of  greene  rushes  ;  these  were  choice  pieces 
of  the  finest  wooll,  of  an  Azure  colour,  valued  at  a  hundred 
pound  a  cloath,  which  was  afterwards  given  to  his  Ma- 
jestie." 

After  a  sumptuous  banquet,  "the  description  whereof 
were  too  long  for  me  to  write  and  you  to  reade,"  Jack 
escorted  the  King  and  Queen,  with  the  ladies  and  gentle- 
men of  their  suite,  over  his  factory,  with  which  the  King 
appears  to  have  been  highly  pleased,  as  also  with  the 
reception  he  met  with  from  the  workpeople,  who  enter- 
tained the  visitors  with  a  series  of  allegorical  represen- 
tations, or  masques.  For  this  hearty  greeting  the  King 
gave  the  weavers  permission  to  take  four  bucks  out  of 
Donnington  Park  for  their  annual  feast,  which  latter  is 
still  continued,  but  the  gift  of  venison,  if  it  ever  existed, 
has  become  obsolete. 

The  time  having  arrived  for  the  King's  departure,  "  after 
great  thanks  and  giftes  given  to  Jacke  of  Newberie,  his 
majestic  would  have  made  him  knight,  but  he  meekely 
refused  it  saying,  '  I  beseech  your  Grace  let  me  live  a  poore 

B  There  is  some  reason  for  supposing  that  the  visit  of  the  King  to  New- 
bury was  in  September,  1516,  as  among  the  State  Papers  there  is  a  letter 
from  Sir  Richard  Jerningham  to  Wolsey  mentioning  that  he  had  received  the 
Cardinal's  letter,  dated  Newbury,  September  10,  commanding  the  writer  to 
repair  to  Calais.  The  King  again  made  a  progress  into  Berkshire  in  August, 
1520,  the  year  after  the  death  of  "Jack  of  Newbury,"  and  on  the  17th  was 
at  Sir  John  Norris's  house  at  Yattendon,  and  on  Saturday  the  l8th  lodged  at 
' '  Mr.  Darell's  place, "  at  Littlecote. 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  203 

Clothier  among  my  people,  in  whose  maintenance  I  take 
more  felicitie  than  in  all  the  vaine  titles  of  Gentilitie.'" 

The  only  other  noteworthy  circumstance  related  by  the 
diffuse  pamphleteer  in  the  life  of  Winchcombe  is  his  quarrel 
with  the  all-powerful  Wolsey,  concerning  the  wool  trade, 
in  which  he  came  off  victorious,  and  gave  the  Lord  Cardinal 
"  as  good  as  he  brought."  The  spirited  conduct  of  Jack 
in  this  transaction,  which  resulted  in  a  commercial  treaty 
with  France  and  the  Low  Countries,  "  so  that  in  a  short 
space  Cloathing  againe  was  very  good,  and  poore  men  as 
well  set  on  work  as  before,"  no  doubt  greatly  added  to  the 
credit  and  renown  of  the  famous  clothier. 

John  Winchcombe  died  at  an  advanced  age  six  years 
after  the  battle  of  Flodden.  In  his  will,  dated  January, 
1 5 19,  the  year  in  which  he  died,  he  is  described  asj"  John 
Smalwoode  the  elder,  alias  John  Wynchcombe,  of  the 
parisshe  of  Seynt  Nicholas,  in  Newbery."  He  gives  "  to 
the  parisshe  churche  of  Newbery,  towards  the  buylding 
and  edifying  of  the  same  £ap"  besides  donations  to  the 
various  altars.  He  directs  that  he  should  be  buried  "in 
our  Lady  Chauncell,  within  the  parisshe  church  of  New- 
bery aforesaid,  by  Alice,  my  wif,  and  a  stone  to  be  leyde 
upon  us  boothe."  His  wife  Alice  had  been  long  dead  at  the 
date  of  this  will,  as  he  had  again  married,  and  left  a  widow, 
named  Joan,  the  daughter  of  the  "  poor  man  at  Aylesbury," 
who  is  mentioned  and  liberally  provided  for.  There  are, 
also  legacies  to  numerous  individuals,  and  to  every  one 
of  his  servants.  Winchcombe  died  within  a  few  weeks  of, 
the  date  of  this  will,  as  appears  from  the  inscription  on 
his  monument  in  Newbury  Church. 

The  ancient  brick  and  timber  residence  of  "  Jack  of 
Newbury,"  which  Fuller,  writing  in  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury, says  "now  make  sixteen  clothiers'  houses,"  com- 
prised the  block  of  buildings  on  the  east  side  of  North- 
brook-street,  now  partly  occupied  by  the  "  Jack  of  New- 
bury "  Inn,  and  bounded  by  two  lanes,  each  leading  into 
the  "Marsh,"  to  which  place  Winchcombe's  factory  and 
stores  no  doubt  extended.  A  fifteenth-century  gable,  with 
an  oriel  window  and  carved  verge-board  at  the  north-west 


204  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

end  of  the  block  still  remains ;  and  in  the  premises  be- 
longing to  Messrs.  Glover  and  Ingram,  adjoining  the  inn 
on  the  north  side,  where  a  part  of  the  original  house  sur- 
vives, a  massive  stone  chimney-piece,  seven  feet  wide,  was 
discovered  in  1 882;  and  the  rooms  were  found  to  have 
been  originally  lined  with  oak  wainscotting,  considerable 
portions  of  which  remained  behind  the  modern  canvas  and 
papering. 

Upon  taking  down  one  of  the  contiguous  buildings  some 
years  since  several  ancient  oak  carvings  were  discovered, 
which  undoubtedly  belonged  to  the  Winchcombe  family. 
On  one  of  these,  apparently  the  frontispiece  over  a  fire- 
place, carved  in  bas-relief,  and  divided  into  ten  panels, 
is  represented  what  is  thought  to  be  a  portrait  of  "Jack 
of  Newbury"  within  a  raised  circle,  accompanied  by  the 
floriated  initials  "J.  W."  The  two  panels  on  either  side 
have  the  linen  pattern  ornament.  In  the  middle  panel  of 
the  lower  compartments  is  a  raised  shield,  suspended  by 
strap  and  buckle,  with  a  monogram  I.  S.,  presumed  to  be 
for  John  Smalwoode  ;  the  panels  on  each  side  have  por- 
trait busts,  supposed  to  be  those  of  his  two  wives,  Alice 
and  Joan ''.  The  outer  panels  bear  eaglets,  one  carrying 
in  its  beak  the  Tudor  rose,  and  with  wings  closed ;  the 
other  holding  in  its  mouth  a  berry,  and  with  wings  erect. 

Another  carving  represents  the  Trinity,  under  the  figure 
of  a  single  head  with  three  faces,  within  a  wreath  of  oak 
leaves,  with  floriated  spandrels ;  an  artistic  "  confusion 
of  substance "  which  was  prohibited  by  a  Bull  of  Pope 
Urban  VIII. 

The  Dolmans. 
Another  local  eminent  clothier  was  Thomas  Dolman, 
whose   factory   was   in  Northbrook-street.      His  retiring 
from  business  and  building  Shaw  House  gave  rise  to  the 
well-known  distich — 
"  Lord  have  mercy  upon  us  miserable  sinners, 

Thomas  Dolman  has  built  a  new  house  and  tumed  away  all 
his  spinners.'' 

*■  The  name  of  "  Mrs.  Joan  Winchcombe"  occurs  in  the  Register  of 
Burials,  Dec.  26,  1549. 


.Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  205 

The  Dolmans  are  said  to  have  migrated  from  Pockling- 
ton,  in  Yorkshire,  and  the  first  of  the  family  thought  to 
have  been  connected  with  Newbury  was  William  Dolman, 
manager  to  "  Jack  of  Newbury,"  whose  story  has  just  been 
told,  and  who  bequeathed  him  a  legacy  oi £\o.  The  will  of 
Thomas  Dolman  of  Newbury,  clothier,  most  probably  son 
of  William  Dolman,  was  made  January  8, 1571,  and  proved 
in  the  Prerogative  Court  of  Canterbury  by  his  son,  Thomas 
Dolman,  jun.,  the  Executor,  December  3,  1576.  Thomas 
Dolman  the  elder  had  a  grant  of  the  Manor  of  Shaw  in 
^5S3>  which  is  described  as  "late  parcel  of  the  possessions 
of  Winchester  College."  Shaw  House  was  completed  by 
his  son  Thomas  in  15  81.  A  modern  writer  thus  refers  to 
this  Dolman  : — 

"  Newbury  supplied  another  manufacturer  of  wool,  Doleman 
by  name,  so  rich  and  so  little  inclined  to  thrift,  that  he  laid  out 
the  enormous  sum  of  ten  thousand  pounds  on  building  a  vast 
and  strong  house  near  his  native  place.  Fearful  of  the  lashes 
which  he  expected  to  receive  from  the  envy  of  his  neighbours,  he 
inscribed  more  than  one  apposite  sentence,  both  in  Greek  and 
Latin,  above  his  superb  stone  porch,  as  spells  against  those  ill- 
wishers  whose  peculiar  malice  he  dreaded.  The  house  is  named 
Shaw,  and  will  again  stand  forward  in  history,  when  the  fields 
round  Newbury  are  doomed  to  be  stained  with  the  blood  of 
brethren  in  arms  against  each  other '." 

Sir  Thomas  Dolman,  Knt.,  one  of  the  Clerks  of  the 
Privy  Council,  and  M.P.  for  Reading  in  1661,  certified  his 
pedigree  (now  in  the  College  of  Arms)  on  October  18, 1682. 
It  commences  with  his  great-grandfather,  the  Thomas 
Dolman  the  grantee  of  the  Manor  of  Shaw ;  and  it  also 
states  that  the  burial-place  of  the  early  Dolmans  was  for 
a  long  period  at  Newbury. 

The  Sir  Thomas  Dolman,  Clerk  of  the  Privy  Council, 
was  owner  of  Shaw  House  when  it  was  garrisoned  for 
Charles  I.,  before  the  last  battle  of  Newbury.  He  was 
honoured  by  a  visit  of  Charles  H.  and  his  Queen,  the 

'  Continuation  of  Henry's  History  of  Great  Britain,  by  J.  P.  Andrews 
F.S.A.  ed.  1796,  p.  424.  ' 


2o6  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

Duke  of  York,  and  many  of  the  nobility,  in  September, 
1663.  He  died  in  1697,  and  was  succeeded  in  his  estates 
by  Thomas  Dolman,  his  son,  who  entertained  Queen  Anne 
at  his  house  at  Shaw  in  October,  1703  ;  and  was 
knighted  at  St.  James's  the  following  November.  This 
gentleman  died  in  171 1,  and  was  buried  near  his  father 
in  Shaw  Church,  where  there  are  some  memorials  of  the 
family. 

The  Dolmans  intermarried  with  the  families  of  the  Brays, 
Forsters,  Blagraves,  Quarles,  Rupas  (Baron),  Hookes  or 
Hoorkes,  Westons,  Hobdays,  Coynes,  Chadwicks,  Wal- 
ronds,  Rudstones,  Henshaws,  and  L'Estrange  of  Hun- 
stanton, Norfolk. 

Among  the  Ashmolean  MSS.  now  transferred  to  the 
Bodleian  Library  may  be  found  the  pedigree  of  Dolman 
of  Shaw,  and  there  are  several  pedigrees  of  the  family  in 
the  British  Museum  Library.  The  Dolmans  bore  for  their 
Arms — Quarterly,  i  and  4,  Azure,  seven  garbs,  four,  two, 
one.  Or,  2  and  3,  Vert,  a  f ess  dancettee  Ermine  between  three 
eagles  close  Or. 

Crest — A  demi  eagle  displayed  Vert  gorged  Or. 

Another  well-known  family  of  clothiers  flourished  at 
Newbury  of  the  name  of  Blandy.  William  Blandy,  the 
son  of  one  of  this  family,  was  educated  at  Winchester  Col- 
lege, elected  Probationer-Fellow  of  New  College,  Oxford, 
in  1563,  and  afterwards  became  a  member  of  the  Middle 
Temple.  He  translated  from  Latin  into  English  "The 
Five  Books  of  Hieronimus  Osorius,  containing  a  Discourse 
of  Civil  and  Christian  Nobility."     (Lond.  1576,  qu.) 

Visits  of  the  Protector  Somerset  to  Newbury 
IN  1537,  AND  of  Edward  VL  in  15  51. 

The  Protector  Somerset,  Edward  Seymour,  Earl  of 
Hertford,  brother  of  Lady  Jane  Seymour,  and  uncle  to 
Edward  VI.,  created  Viscount  Beauchamp  and  Duke  of 
Somerset,  paid  a  visit  to  Newbury  in  1537,, and  lodged 
at  the  house  of  John  Winchcombe,  son  of  the  celebrated 
clothier.     His  travelling  expenses  are  highly  illustrative 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  207 

of  domestic  life,  prices,  &c.,  of  the  period.  For  instance, 
when  he  lay  at  Newbury  we  find  the  following  items  in  his 
Steward's  Account  Books  : — 

"  For  hay,  litter,  and  provender  for  24  horses  of  my 
lord's  own  for  2  nights,  7  &  8  Oct.,  standing  at 
Newbury,  in  my  lord's  journey  from  Wulfhall  to 
London    .  .  .  .  .  .     o  20     o 

For  20  horses  of  my  lord's  servants  2  nights    .  .     o  13     4 

To  Master  Winchcombe's  carders  when  my  lord  lay 

there  19  Sept.       .  .  .  •  .0176 

The  Protector,  as  is  well  known,  was  accused  of  abusing 
his  high  trust  by  the  Earl  of  Warwick  and  other  courtiers, 
and  was  beheaded  in  1552.  There  is  every  reason  to 
believe  that  Queen  Jane  Seymour,  and  her  brothers — 
Edward  Seymour  the  Protector,  and  Thomas  Seymour, 
Lord  Sudeley,  who  married  Queen  Katharine  Parr,  widow 
of  Henry  VIII. — were  born  at  Wulfhall,  but  the  Registers 
of  the  parish  of  Great  Bedwyn  are  not  old  enough  to  tell 
us.  Lady  Jane  Seymour,  the  daughter  of  Sir  John  Sey- 
mour of  Wulfhall,  was  married  there  to  Henry  VIII. 
in  1536^ 

The  young  King  Edward  VI.,  as  we  learn  from  his 
Journal,  visited  Newbury  in  September,  1551.  He  had 
been  at  Winchester  on  the  sth  ;  on  the  7th  he  removed  to 
Basing,  and  from  thence,  on  the  loth,  became  to  Newbury 
and  Donnington  Castle. 

Constables  of  the  Town,  1522 — 1533. 

In  addition  to  the  Bailiffs  of  the  town.  Constables  were 
annually  elected  from  the  inhabitant  householders  by  the 
Court  Leet  Jury,  whose  duty  it  was  to  make  present- 
ments at  the  Assizes  and  Quarter  Sessions  of  anything 
that  was  amiss  within  their  jurisdiction,  their  authority 
being  practically  the  same  as  that  which  the  High  Constable 
had  within  his  hundred.     They  had  also  to  see  that  night 

•'  See  "Wulfhall  and  the  Seymours,"  by  the  Rev.  Canon  Jackson,  F.S.A. 
Wilts  Arch.  Mag.,  vol.  xv.  pp.  140 — 207. 

Wulfhall  is  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal,  between 
Great  Bedwyn  and  Savemake  stations. 


'208  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

watches  were  kept  from  sun-setting  to  sun -rising,  and  to 
perform  all  other  duties  necessary  for  the  conservation 
of  the  peace,  and  the  security  of  the  inhabitants.  The 
names  of  those  who  filled  this  office  previous  to  1640; 
the  date  of  the  commencement  of  the  Court  Leet  re- 
cords, are  not  met  with  in  the  few  remaining  Borough 
documents,  but ,  the  following  names  are  found  in  the 
Episcopal-  Registers  of  Salisbury,  and  in  the  Newbury 
Parish  Register : — 

1522.     Thomas  Bennet  and  Matthew  Childe. 

1540.  Richard  Bridges,  Esq.,  John  Winchcombe,  gent., 
John  Goldwyer,  and  Walter  Collins. 

1553.     John  Lychpole. 

Religious  Prosecutions  in  Newbury  in  Queen 
Mary's  Reign. 

In  the  early  part  of  1539-40  Miles  Coverdale,  after- 
wards Bishop  of  Exeter,  was  actively  engaged  in  the  pro- 
motion of  the  Reformed  Doctrines  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Newbury.  Several  letters  written  from  Newbury  by 
Coverdale  to  Thomas  Cromwell  are  printed  in  the  Parker 
Society's  volume,  "  Remains  of  Bishop  Coverdale ;"  and  in 
one  of  these  Coverdale  says — 

"  I  have  under  your  lordship's  favourable  correction  required 
the  curate  of  Newbury  to  call  for  all  such  books  as  were  either 
incorrect  or  against  the  King's  most  lawful  act  concerning 
Thomas  k  Becket,  or  the  Bishop  of  Rome ;  by  the  means  of 
which  request  there  are  brought  unto  me  in  these  two  or  three 
days  a  great  number  of  such  books." 

In  a  subsequent  letter  he  requests  to  be  informed  what 
he  is  to  do  "  with  these  popish  books ;"  whether  he  is  to 
burn  them  at  the  market-cross  or  no.  He  also  states  in 
another  letter  that 

"  He  thinks  a  great  number  of  the  priests  of  this  realm  are  run 
in  pr(zmu7iire  unto  the  King,  inasmuch  as  they  have  not  utterly 
extinct  such  ecclesiastical  service,  as  is  against  his  grace's  most 
lawful  supremity  and  prerogative.  For  in  the  feast  called 
Cathedra  S.  Petri  a  great  part  of  their  matins  is  plainly  a  main- 
tenance of  the  Bishop  of  Rome's  usurped  power.    This  is  evident 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  209 

in  all  the  great  matin-books  of  the  church  of  Newbury,  and  I 
doubt  not  but  it  is  so  likewise  in  many  churches  more.  I  found, 
it  [so]  the  seventh  day  of  this  month  [Feb.  1539-40],  and  I 
wonder  at  it,  considering  it  is  so  long  since  the  Act  was  made  for 
abolishing  all  such  usurped  authority." 

We  do  not  hear  of  any  other  proceedings  as  to  matters 
of  faith  and  discipline  at  Newbury  until  the  year  ISS^, 
when  Josceline,  or  JuHns,  Palmer,  Master  of  Reading 
School,  and  with  him  John  Gwin  and  Thomas  Askew, 
were  arraigned  for  denying  the  Papal  supremacy,  and 
other  charges  pertaining  to  religion. 

Josceline,  or  Julins  ^,  Palmer  was  a  native  of  Coventry, 
where  his  father  had  served  the  office  of  mayor,  and 
"  occupied  merchandise,  albeit  he  was  an  upholster  by  his 
mysterie."  He  had  received  his  education  at  the  school 
of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford,  under  Harley,  afterwards 
Bishop  of  Hereford;  and,  after  obtaining  a  Fellowship, 
he  was  in  1550  admitted  to  the  office  of  Reader  of  Logic 
at  Magdalen.  So  strong  at  that  period  were  his  views  in 
favour  of  Roman  Doctrine,  that  he  was  expelled  the  col- 
lege before  the  death  of  King  Edward,  and  became  a 
tutor  in  the  house  of  Sir  Francis  Knollys.  After  Mary's 
accession  he  was  restored  to  his  Fellowship  ;  but  his  sen- 
timents then  underwent  a  change,  which  led  to  further 
trouble.  This  is  attributed  in  a  great  measure  to  his 
horror  in  witnessing  the  treatment  of  Ridley  and  Latimer 
at  Oxford,  when  a  sympathy  in  their  sufferings  led  to  an 
examination  of  the  principles  and  the  faith  which  sus- 
tained them.  Thereupon  Palmer  finally  quitted  his  Fel- 
lowship, and  purchased  the  appointment,  originally  granted 
by  letters  patent  to  Leonard  Coxe,  of  the  Mastership  of 
the  Grammar  School  at  Reading ;  but  there  he  did  not 
stay  long,  for,  on  his  study  being  searched,  there  were 
found  in  it 

"  Certain  godly  books  and  writings,  amongst  the  which  was  his 
replication  to  Morwine's  verses  touching  Winchester's  epitaph, 
and  other  arguments  both  in  Latin  and  English,  written  by  him 

''  yulins  appears  to  have  been  the  colloquial  pronunciation  of  Josceline. 

P 


210  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

against  the  Popish  proceedings,  and  specially  against  their  un- 
naturall  and  brutish  tyrannic  executed  towards  the  martyrs  of 
GodV 

The  name  of  Gwyn,  one  of  Palmer's  companions  at  the 
stake,  frequently  occurs"  in  the  Newbury  Parish  Registers, 
and  in  the  list  of  burials  during  October,  1557,  is  the  fol- 
lowing : — "  Deanys  Gwyn  the  8  day."  The  name  of  the 
other  sufferer.  Askew,  is  also  found  in  the  Registers  of  the 
period,  and  in  January,  1556 — 1557,  a  few  months  after  the 
execution  of  the  sentence,  there  is  this  entry:—"  Elizabeth 
Askew  was  buryed  the  30  daye  of  January."  It  is  prob- 
able that  this  was  a  branch  of  the  same  family  to  which 
the  celebrated  Protestant  martyr  Anne  Askew  belonged  ; 
but  this  conjecture  is  not  based  upon  any  actual  evi- 
dence. 

The  trial  took  place  on  July  15  and  16,  1556,  in  the 
choir  of  the  parish  church  of  Newbury.  William  Geffrey, 
or  Jeffrey,  D.C.L.,  Chancellor  of  Salisbury,  who  was  then 
holding  a  visitation  for  the  Bishop  of  Salisbury  at  New- 
bury, was  the  President ''.  The  other  commissioners  pre- 
sent were  :— Sir  Richard  Brydges,  Knt,  Sheriffs,  Sir  Wil- 
liam   Rainsford,    Knt."",    John   Winchcombe,    Esq.",    and 

"  "Narratives  of  the  Reformation,"  p.  84.   Camden  Soc,  1859. 

f  William  Geffrey,  or  Jeffrey,  D.C.L.,  1540,  sometime  Principal  of  St.  Ed- 
ward's Hall,  and  afterwards  of  Broadgate's  Hall,  Oxford,  Archdeacon  of 
Northampton,  1549,  Chancellor  of  Salisbury,  1552-3;  died  ISS^- 

E  Sir  Richard  Brydges,  Knt.,  was  M.P.  for  the  county  of  Berks  in  1554, 
and  represented  the  borough  of  Ludgershall  in  the  Parliaments  of  1553  and 
1557.  Members  of  the  Brydges'  family  served  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  Berk- 
shire and  Oxfordshire,  31  Hen.  VHI. ,  2  &  4  Mary;  and  of  Sheriff  of 
Berkshire  alone,  17  Elizabeth.  Till  the  ninth  year  of  Queen  Elizabeth  the 
Shrievalty  of  Berkshire  and  Oxfordshire  was  united,  excepting  at  a  very  early 
period,  when  occasionally  different  Sheriffs  were  appointed  for  each.  The 
manor  of  Great,  or  West  Shefford  formerly  belonged  for  a  considerable  time 
to  the  Brydges'  family,  the  last  heir  male  of  which,  Anthony  Brydges,  Esq. , 
died  in  1613. 

^  Sir  William  Rainsford  was  one  of  the  gentlemen  ushers  who  represented 
the  Dukes  of  Normandy  and  Guienne  at  the  coronation  of  Edward  VI.,  and 
Sheriff  of  Berkshire  and  Oxfordshire,  1549.  The  Rainsfords  were  of  Great 
Tew,  Oxon,  and  were  connected  by  marriage  with  the  Danvers'  family  of 
Chamberhouse,  in  the  parish  of  Thatcham,  Dorothy,  daughter  of  Sir  William 
Rainsford  of  Great  Tew,  having  married  John  Danvers,  grandson  of  Sir  John 
Danvers,  Knt.  A  farm  near  Chamberhouse  is  still  called  "  Ransford's,"  or 
"  Rainsford's.''  There  is,  however,  no  mention  in  the  Inquisition  taken  on 
the  death  of  Sir  William  Rainsford  of  property  in  Berks. 

'  John  Winchcombe,  Esq.,  M.P.  for  Reading  in  1552-3.  It  appears  by 
information  drawn  from  an  Inquisitio  post  mortem^  on  the  death  of  John 
Winchcombe,  son  of  "Jack  of  Newbury,"  taken  April  21,  4  &  5  Philip  and 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  211 

Clement  Burdett,  Rector  of  Englefield  and  Official  Prin- 
cipal to  the  Bishop  of  Salisbury  J. 

On  the  termination  of  the  second  day's  examination 
Dr.  Jeffrey  proceeded  to  deliver  sentence  of  condemnation, 
and  Palmer,  with  his  two  "  silly  brethren  V'  were  delivered 
•  over  to  the  secular  authorities.  About  five  o'clock  in  the 
evening  of  the  same  day  Sir  Richard  Brydges,  and  the 
bailiffs  of  the  town,  with  a  great  company  of  harnessed 
and  weaponed  men,  conducted  Palmer  and  his  brethren 
to  the  fire  : — 

"  They  put  off  their  raiment  and  went  to  the  stake  and  kissed 
it ;  and  when  they  were  bound  to  the  post  Palmer  said,  '  Good 
people,  pray  for  us  that  we  may  persevere  unto  the  end,  and  for 
Christ  his  sake  beware  of  Popish  teachers,  for  they  deceive  you.' 
As  he  spake  this,  a  servant  of  one  of  the  bailiffs  threw  a  faggot  at 
his  face,  that  the  blood  gushed  out  in  divers  places.  For  the 
which  fact  the  sheriff  reviled  him,  calling  him  cruel  tormentor ', 
and  with  his  walking-stick  brake  his  head,  that  the  blood  likewise 

Mary,  1557,  that  he  died  on  Dec.  2  previously,  soon  after  the  trial  of  the 
martyrs.  He  wills  an  obit,  or  anniversary  service,  to  be  performed  in  New- 
bury Church,  where  he  was  buried,  for  twenty  years  after  his  death,  for  the 
repose  of  his  soul  and  of  the  souls  of  all  the  faithful,  &c.  He  also  provides 
that  for  the  relief  of  poor  people  they  are  to  be  "refreshed  with  bread," 
and  for  that  purpose  bequeathed  two  rents  of  the  annual  value  of  2as.  and 
33J-.  4i/.  respectively.  At  the  date  of  taking  the  Inquisition  there  were  living 
John,  his  son  and  heir,  aged  38,  Thomas  and  Henry,  sons,  John,  son  of 
Henry,  Ann,  his  daughter,  and  Ann,  daughter  of  John  the  son.  Helena, 
wife  of  his  son  John,  was  daughter  of  Thomas  Taylor.  His  burial  is  thus 
entered  in  the  Newbury  parish  register  : — 

"December,  I557> 

John  Smalwood  alyas  Wynchcombe 

viii  day." 

Whether  it  was  the  elder  or  younger  John  Winchcombe  who  sat  in  judg- 
ment on  Palmer  and  his  fellows  cannot  be  satisfactorily  ascertained,  but  it 
was  most  probably  the  former,  whose  "portrait  hangs  in  the  Council  Chamber. 

'  Clement  Burdett  was  the  second  son  of  Thomas  Burdett,  Esq. ,  of  Bram- 
cote,  CO.  Warwick,  by  Mary,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Throckmorton,  of 
Coughton  in  the  same  county.  He  was  cousin-german  to  Sir  Francis  Engle- 
field, whose  mother  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Throckmorton. 
Foxe,  in  his  story  of  John  Bolton,  speaks  of  "Sir  Francis  Englefield  with  his 
bloody  brother  the  parson  of  Englefield."  At  Palmer's  examination  Burdett 
held  a  long  altercation  with  him  on  the  doctrine  of  transubstantiation,  which 
is  detailed  in  Foxe. 

^  The  word  ' '  silly ''  as  here  used  appears  to  denote  pious  persons,  because 
such  are  usually  considered  to  be  ingenuous  and  simple-hearted. 

'  A  remarkable  tradition  is  still  preserved  in  Newbury  to  the  effect  that  the 
bailiff's  officer  who  threw  the  faggot  at  Palmer's  face,  and  which  pierced  his 
eyes,  was  shortly  afterwards  struck  with  blindness,  and  that  an  affection  of 
the  eyes  has  continued  in  his  descendants  to  this  day,  some  of  whom  are  still 
living  in  Newbury. 

P  3 


213  Nezvbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

ran  about  his  ears.  When  the  fire  was  kindled  and  began  to 
take  hold  upon  their  bodies,  they  lift  their  hands  towards  heaven, 
and  quietly  and  cheerfully,  as  though  they  felt  no  smart,  they 
cried,  '  Lord  Jesu,  strengthen  us ;  Lord  Jesu,  assist  us ;  Lord 
Jesu,  receive  our  souls."  And  so  they  continued,  without  any 
struggling,  holding  up  their  hands  and  knocking  their  hearts,  and 
calling  upon  Jesu  until  they  had  ended  their  mortal  lives  ""." 

The  place  where  they  were  burnt  was  called  the  "  Sand- 
pits," in  the  Enbourn  road.  Near  this  spot  a  charred  oak 
stake,  to  which  was  affixed  a  long  iron  chain,  was  found 
some  years  since,  and  seen  by  several  persons  now  living. 
It  was  preserved  for  some  time,  but  the  chain,  ultimately, 
found  its  way  to  a  marine-store  dealer's  heap ! 

As  relating  to  this  subject,  it  may  be  here  mentioned 
that  in  Foxe's  "  Acts  and  Monuments "  there  is  a  repre- 
sentation of  a  Dr.  Oking,  or  Ockham,  standing  in  the  pil- 
lory at  Newbury,  and  of  Dr.  London  riding  about  the 
Market-place  in  the  manner  described  below.  This 
Dr.  Robert  Oking,  D.C.L.  of  Cambridge,  1534,  Chan- 
cellor first  of  Bangor  and  afterwards  of  Sarum,  Arch- 
deacon of  Salisbury,  1547,  was  born  at  Newbury.  He  was 
convicted  of  perjury  committed  at  the  trial  of  Marbeck 
and  the  other  Windsor  martyrs  in  1543,  and  was  pilloried 
at  Newbury.  Dr.  John  London,  one  of  the  most  active  of 
the  commissioners  to  enquire  into  the  state  of  religious 
houses  was  also  "  exhibited "  at  Newbury  at  the  same 
time  with  his  face  to  a  horse's  tail,  and  then  pilloried  ; 
having  been  previously  through  the  same  ignominious  pun- 
ishment at  Windsor  and  Reading.  Oking  was  presented 
to  the  rectory  of  Collingbourne  Ducis,  co.  Wilts,  by  Ed- 
ward, Earl  of  Hertford,  in  1545,  and  held  it  until  1554. 

The  Grammar  School,  1559. 

Notwithstanding  that  the  Grammar  School  was  not  part 
of  the  original  foundation  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital, 
it  is  evident  that  a  portion  of  the  endowment  was  applied 
for  educational  purposes  in  the  sixteenth  century. 

"  Foxe's  "Acts  and  Monuments  of  the  Church,"  ed.  1838,  book  xi.  p.  926. 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  213 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  evidence  of  William  Blandye, 
presently  to  be  adduced,  that  the  chapel  had  been  con- 
verted into  a  school-house  in  King  Edward  VI.'s  time. 
We  may  therefore  fairly  date  the  establishment  of  the 
Newbury  Grammar  School  from  the  reign  of  this  King, 
the  reputed  founder  of  a  number  of  schools  throughout  the 
country  which  are  still  connected  with  his  name. 

In  the  report  of  a  Commission,  dated  February  14, 
2  Edw.  VI.,  1548-9,  it  is  stated  that  Henry  Wormestall 
devised  lands  of  the  yearly  value  of  .^13  gj.  %d.  to  certain 
persons,  which  was  subject  to  the  following  payment : — 

"  For  teaching  the  Grammar  School,  £,12  2S,  4^d." 

The  sum  of  ;£'i2  was  continued  to  be  paid  by  the  Cor- 
poration to  the  Master  of  the  Free  Grammar  School  until 
the  death  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Best,  in  18 14;  but  no  ac- 
count is  found  of  any  money  received  by  the  Corporation 
from  the  Exchequer. 

The  property  of  the  Hospital  having  been  alienated  for 
the  long  period  of  61  years,  by  the  lease  granted  i  &  2 
Philip  and  Mary,  1554,  the  Master  and  Brethren  ceased 
to  exist  as  a  distinct  Corporation ;  but  the  school  was, 
apparently,  continued,  as  we  find  the  name  of  the  Rev. 
William  Ford,  B.C.L.,  of  New  College,  Oxford,  appointed 
Rector  of  Newbury,  1559,  referred  to  as  "teaching  the 
grammer  schole  ther"." 

Queen  Elizabeth  visits  Newbury,  1568. 

Queen  Elizabeth  visited  the  town  in  September,  1568, 
accompanied  by  a  considerable  retinue  of  courtiers  and 
attendants  ;  and  the  loyalty  of  the  "  good  people  of  New- 
berrie  "  seems  to  have  highly  gratified  her  Majesty,  "  The 
Paye  Book"  of  the  progress"  furnishes  some  curious 
items  of  expenditure.  Carpenters  were  employed  to  fit 
up  presses  for  the  robes  and  other  necessaries,  at  is.  a 
day.     Sand  for  sprinkling  over  the  streets  is  charged  lod. 

°  "Narratives  of  the  Reformation,'' p.  31.  Camden  Society,  1859. 
°  Rawl.  MS.  A.  195%  fol.  273.  Bodl.  Lib. 


214  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

the  load  ;  3^.  <^d.  for  the  carriage  of  the  tent  and  the  court 
baggage  from  Wallingford  to  Newbury.  Mr.  Gilbert  Pol- 
sone,  ironmonger  of  Newbury,  was  paid  i8j.  for  18  white 
bolts  2s.  for  1 2  staples ;  9J.  for  9  white  handles  ;  qj.  4^. 
for  14  "  dowble  howped  stockloke  keys ;"  \gs.  lod.  for 
various  other  items,  the  total  charges  amounting  to 
£4.  igj.  5<f.  The  account  is  signed  by  "  Lewys  Stockett ; 
J.  Ffowler,  comptroller ;  Humfre  Lovell,  mason ;  John 
Colbrand,  carpenter." 


Muster  Roll  of  Inhabitants  of  Newbury  able 
to  bear  arms,  1 569. 

In  the  year  1569,  when  the  Insurrections  in  the  North 
caused  so  much  alarm,  and  levies  were  raised  throughout 
the  country  for  the  service  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  the  Com- 
missioners for  Musters  in  Berkshire,  Sir  Edward  Unton, 
Knt,  of  Wadley,  John  Fettiplace  of  Besils  Legh,  High 
Sheriff,  William  Forster  of  Aldermaston,  Edmond  Docura 
of  Chamberhouse,  and  Roger  Yonge  of  Basildon,  attended 
at  Newbury,  when  the  following  inhabitants  of  the  town 
were  returned  as  "  able  to  bear  arms  and  mete  for  service 
in  the  warres  p." 

Newburie  Town. 

(The  letters  prefixed  to  the  names  indicate  (g)  gunners,  i.e.  musqueteers, 

(a)  archers  or  bow-men,  {p)  pike-men,  {b)  bill-men.) 

g.  William  Shawe.  i.  Peter  Griffin. 

li.  Robert  Wayte.  b.  Thomas  Money. 

a.  Robert  Pearse.  b.  Walter  Millar. 

a.  John  Sadler.  g.  John  Bray. 

u..  Nicholas  Bayley.  g.  Thomas  Barnes. 

".  John  Lecester.  b.  Thomas  Stroude. 

p.  John  Newton.  b.   Robert  Wingrove. 

a.  John  Yonge.  b.  Nicholas  Dancastel. 

g.  Nicholas  Fosbery.  „.   ThomasHynde. 

a.  John  Martin.  a.   Christopher  Walker. 
g.   Roger  Shawe.  b.  Barnard  Harrison. 
g.  James  Harryson.  b.  Thomas  Elton. 

b.  Thomas  Russell.  b.  Thomas  Walker. 
i.  Robert  Temple.  b.  John  Cooke. 

P  State  Papers  Dom.  Eliz.,  vol.  64,  No.  5. 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 


215 


b.  Henry  Graye. 

b.  Peter  Woode. 

b.  William  Beckington. 

b.  Anthony  Hyde. 

b.  Richard  Chesse. 

b.  Richard  Northe. 

b.  John  Grene. 

b.  William  Emner. 

b.  John  Reynolds. 

a.  Robert  Warden. 

b.  Thomas  Stele. 
b.  Thomas  Black. 
b.  Thomas  Piper. 

b.  William  Powdre. 

b.  Thomas  Twill. 

g.  Richard  Bulpit. 

g.  William  Rigsby. 

a.  Thomas  Arnold. 

b,  Thomas  Garland. 
b.  Walter  Turner. 

b.  William  Bamfield. 

b.  Francis  Osborne. 

b.  John  Benet. 

b.  Nicholas  Houghton. 

b.  Edward  Morgan. 

b.  Thomas  Skynner. 

b.  Richard  White. 

b.  Michael  Sowth. 

b.  Peter  Browne. 

b,  William  Turner, 
u.  George  Goldwier. 

u.  Robert  Hawkins. 

g.  Peter  Cooke. 

b.  William  Camber. 

b.  Richard  Webbe. 

b.  John  Justice. 

b.  Andrew  Roffe. 

b.  Thomas  Crocker. 

b.  Richard  Osier. 

b.  Robert  Holland. 


b.  Johnjoyse. 
u.  William  Dyre. 
/.  Thomas  Smyth. 
g.  James  Fayrbrother. 
a.  Richard  Bramblye. 
a.  Stephen  Morris. 
a.  Richard  Kellat. 
p.  Edmond  Yonge. 
a.  John  Wawker. 
g  John  Cowdry. 
a.  Simon  Clevely. 
a.  John  Appleton. 
a.  John  Walker. 
a.  Richard  Weston. 
u,.  Michael  Judd. 
/.  Richard  Beryman. 
a.  John  Pomfray. 
a.  Morris  Hore. 

a.  John  Furnivall. 

b.  James  Silvester. 
g.  Richard  Capon. 
b.  Michael  Hunte. 
g.  John  Sole. 

g.  Thomas  Glover. 

p.  Bartholomew  Morris. 

g.  William  EUie. 

g.  James  Martin. 

u,.  Thomas  Witherington. 

g.  Richard  Springall. 

b.  Gilbert  Howard. 

b.  William  Willison. 

b.  Henry  Gryme. 

b.  Roger  Hyncks. 

a,  Philip  Sowthe. 

g.  Edmond  Bewe. 

a.  Richard  Hynde,  jr. 

a.  Richard  Whyttle. 

p.  Thomas  Bell. 

g.  Bartholomew  Kynge. 

u..  John  Wiggins. 


St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  1577-99. 

It  appears  from  the  recitals  of  an  exemplification  of 
certain  proceedings,  and  a  decree  of  the  Court  of  Ex- 
chequer 1,  that  on  December  16,  i  &  2  Philip  and  Mary 

'  See  Report  of  Charity  Commissioners  of  1837. 


2i6  New.bury  in  the  Sixteettth  Century. 

(1554),  the  master  and  co-brethren  of  this  Hospital  had, 
by  indenture,  under  their  common  seal,  demised  all  their 
lands,  &c.,  for  the  term  of  61  years,  to  one  Philip  Kistell 
and  three  others;  and  th^t,  in  Michaelmas  term  i8th  Q. 
Elizabeth  (1576),  an  mformation  was  filed  by  the  Queen's 
Attorney-General  against  the  said  Philip  for  intruding; 
&c.,  upon  part  of  the  said  demised  lands,  therein  styled 
"  chantry  or  priory  lands,"  and,  as  such,  escheated  to  the 
Crown  by  reason  of  the  dissolution  of  the  said  chantry  or 
priory.  The  defendant,  in  his  answer,  denied  that  the 
lands  were  priory  lands ;  whereupon  issue  being  joined, 
after  many  examinations  of  witnesses  by  interrogations, 
&c.,  it  was  found  that  this  institution  was  an  hospital  for 
the  relief  of  poor  men,  &c.,  and  not  a  religious  house ; 
and  finally,  by  a  decree  made  on  the  hearing,  February  12, 
20  Q.  Elizabeth  (1577),  the  tenant  was  confirmed  in  pos- 
session for  all  the  remainder  of  his  term. 

The  depositions  of  witnesses  examined  in  this  case,  and 
sworn  before  Judge  Freville,  third  baron  of  the  Exchequer, 
have  been  discovered  at  the  Public  Record  Officer  They 
are  six  in  number,  and  were  taken  at  various  dates  from 
several  witnesses  of  different  ages,  whose  names  are  as 
follows  : — 

"  Robert  Flagget,  Cloth  Worker,  of  Newbury,  June  16, 1577, 
aged  94  years. 

Robert  Wright,  Cloth  Worker,  of  Newbury,  June  17,  1577, 
aged  65  years. 

John  Sonde,  Draper,  of  the  City  of  London,  June  22,  1577, 
aged  80  years  and  upwards. 

Edward  Whyte,  Tailor,  of  Newbury,  Nov.  18,  1577,  aged  80 
years  or  thereabouts. 

William  Blandye,  Clothier,  of  Newbury,  January  29,  1578, 
aged  72  years. 

William  Moggworthe,  Weaver,  of  Newbury,  January  29, 1578, 
aged  65  years.'' 

■•  They  are  preserved  amongst  the  Exchequer  Baron's  Depositions,  and  are 
numbered  413,  407,  416,  and  439,  the  last  containing  those  of  Whyte,  Blandve 
and  Moggworthe.  •'  ' 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  217 

The  depositions  appear  to  be  in  answer  to  a  series  of 
Interrogatories,  eighteen  in  numberj  the  nature  of  which 
can  be  easily  surmised  from  the  answers. 

To  the  First  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  Did  well  know  a  Religious  house  called  the 
Priory  of  St.  Bartholomew's,  situate  in  Newbury,  and  hath  known 
ye  same  for  66  years  at  least." 

The  others  (except  Blandyis,  who  "  knoweth  nothing  therein") 
are  to  the  same  effect,  the  time  varying  from  40  to  72  years. 

To  the  Second  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  Did  perfectly  know  two  Priors  who  were 
Masters  or  Governors;  one  called  Sir  Maggott,  the  other  Mr. 
Bromall,  who  always  called  themselves  Priors  of  ye  said  house." 

The  others  are  to  the  same  effect. 

To  the  Third  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  Never  knew  either  called  by  any  other  name 
than  Prior  of  ye  said  house ;  never  knew  or  heard  of  any  other 
persons  abiding  in  ye  same  house  with  them  :  said  Priors  did 
board  at  home  in  their  own  house  adjoining  upon  the  Church  : 
there  was  an  old  man,  called  ....  Herynge,  whose  wife  did  pre- 
pare and  dress  their  meat." 

Bonde  repHes. — "The  Prior  for  the  time  being  was  always 
'commorant'  [resident]  in  the  same  house;  also  one  Sir  Phillipp, 
a  monk,  who  was  hired  by  said  Sir  Bromall ;  also  the  '  Black 
prior'  sometimes;  they  were  all  maintained  by  the  lands  and 
profits  belonging  to  ye  same  house  :  Sir  Maggott  did  commonly 
board  in  the  house  of  one  Roger  Bennet,  in  Newbery :  said  Sir 
Phillipp  did  board  at  ye  house  of  one  Richard  Smythe  :  they 
used  to  say  mass  in  the  church  in  ye  said  house.  The  Prior  was 
always  a  Religious  person,  and  there  was  burying  of  ye  dead  in 
the  church-yard  of  St.  Bartholomew." 

Whyte  replies. — "Never  knew  of  any  other  kind,  nature,  quality 
or  profession  that  they  were  called,  but  only  Priors  of  St.  Bartho- 
lomew's ;  or  of  any  other  person  or  persons  '  commorant  or 
resyant'  in  the  same  house.  Said  Sir  Maggott  was  at  board  at 
ye  house  of  one  Roger  Bennett.  Said  Sir  Bromold  was  at  board 
at  his  father's  house  in  Newbury.  Cannot  certainly  depose  where 
Sir  William  did  board." 

Blandye  replies. — "  They  were  called  and  known  by  the  names 


2i8  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Centttry. 

of  Master  and  Prior  of  the  same  house.  No  other  spiritual  per- 
son or  persons  resided  in  the  same  house,  but  only  one  Master  or 
Prior.  Said  Sir  Maggott  was  at  commons  at  the  house  of  one 
Roger  Bennett,  and  Sir  Bromalde  was  very  little  abiding  there, 
but  did  hire  one  to  supply  his  want." 

Wright  "  cannot  depose,"  and  MoggwortMs  reply  included  in 
that  of  Bonde  and  Whyte. 

To  the  Fourth  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  Never  knew  or  heard  of  any  poor  people 
kept  or  maintained  by  either  of  ye  said  Priors,  of  alms  or  charity, 
within  or  near  the  same  Religious  house  save  only  the  said 
Heringe  and  his  wife,  whose  house  was  near  ye  Prior's  house. 
Since  the  pulling  down  of  the  said  house  by  the  inhabitants  there 
was  builded  iiij  little  chambers  nere  to  the  said  Priorye  by  the 
inhabitants,  who  did  place  therein  four  poor  people,  giving  to 
every  one  of  them  20  shillings  yearly  (at  5 J.  the  quarter),  which 
houses  were  so  erected  and  builded  about  xij  yeres  now  last 
past." 

Bonde  replies. — "  Did  know  in  the  time  of  Sir  Bromall  one 
poor  man,  called  Bullocke,  who  had  a  stipend  towards  his  living, 
viz.,  20  shillings  by  the  year  allowed  him  of  alms  of  the  said 
Prior ;  but  for  any  other  he  knoweth  of  none,  who  had  any 
allowance." 

Blandye  replies. — "  Hath  known  four  poor  people  that  have 
been  remaining  in  the  same  hospital  (save  at  one  time  there  but 
two),  and  had  paid  them  yearly  by  the  said  Priors  or  Masters, 
for  the  time  being,  20  shillings  a  year  to  his  remembrance  for 
forty  years  together." 

Moggworthe  replies. — "  No  poor  people  were  kept  and  main- 
tained within  or  near  the  said  house  by  any  Prior ;  but  Sir 
Maggott  was  paymaster  unto  two  poor  people  kept  in  an  alms- 
house builded  for  them  there  by  the  townsmen." 

Whyte  "  cannot  depose."      Wrighfs  reply  included  in  the  first. 

To  the  Fifth  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  Knows  not  and  never  heard,  but  that  the 
rents,  issues,  revenues,  profits,  offerings,  and  other  commodities 
belonging  to  said  Priory  were  employed  to  the  use  of  the  Priors 
for  the  time  being." 

The  others  are  to  the  same  effect,  except  Moggworthe,  who 
"  cannot  depose." 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  219 

To  the  Sixth  Question 

Wright  replies. — "  Yt  was  accustomably  vsed  in  the  tymes  of 
the  sayd  priors,  that  the  wyfes  of  the  towne  of  Newberye  should 
alwayes  on  the  morrow  after  they  were  churched  have  come  to 
the  churche  or  chapell  in  the  sayd  Relegiouse  house,  and  there 
did  offer  certen  Oblationes  to  St.  Leonard,  as  some  of  them 
monye,  others  waxe,  others  Syses  and  taxe  and  other  kyndes  of 
oblationes,  and  that  all  the  Oblations  so  offered  at  any  tyme  were 
converted  and  came  to  the  vse  of  the  sayd  priors,  and  to  no 
others." 

Sonde  replies. — "Alwayes  on  St.  Leonarde's  Daye  all  the  wyfes 
of  Newbury,  w""  the  Mydwyfe,  was  accustomed  to  offer  in  the 
Chappell  of  the  sayd  Relegiouse  house  to  an  Image  there  in  the 
sayd  ehurche  called  St.  Leonarde,  certen  Oblations,  that  ys  to 
say,  Candles  and  others  thinges,  w*  offeringes,  whatsoever  yt 
were,  was  converted  to  the'onlye  vse  of  the  sayd  Prior  for  the 
tyme  beinge." 

Flaggefs  and  Whyt^s  replies  included  in  Wright's.  Blandye  can 
say  nothing  therein,  and  Moggworthe  "  cannot  depose  thereto." 

To  the  Seventh  Question 

Sonde  replies. — "  Sir  Eromall  was  the  last  Prior.  He  departed 
from  the  said  house  about  30  years  since.  For  what  cause  he 
went  away  Deponent  knoweth  not.  Sure  he  is  that  the  said 
Prior  had  the  issues  and  profits  thereof  after  his  departure  until 
his  death,  for  one  Thomas  Burche  received  the  rents  by  appoint- 
ment of  said  Sir  Bromall.  After  departure  from  Newbery  he 
yvent  to  Oxonford,  thence  to  Lincoln,  where  he  continued  to  his 
death,  which  happened  about  six  years  past  (as  he  hath  heard 
say)." 

Blandye  replies. — "  Sir  Bromalde  was  the  last  Master  of  the 
hospital,  and  he  left  it  '  for  this  cause  that  he  was  bounde  to 
yelde  the  same  to  the  towne  agayne  at  suche  tyme  as  he  was  of 
habylytye  to  dispend  xl  a  yere  by  benefyce,  and  so  by  that 
meanes  he  made  a  lease  to  the  iiij  inhabytantes  of  the  towne  of 
Newberye,  to  thintent  that  they  should  pay  the  sayd  iiij  poore 
people,  and  the  quenes  ma'y  her  quyte  rentes  issuynge  out  of  the 
same  lands,  and  all  other  charges  what  soever ;  and  that  the  same 
Sir  Bromald  is  departed  about  viij  or  ix  yeres  after  or  thereabout, 
to  his  remembrance.' " 

The  others  included  in  Sonde's  reply. 


220  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

To  the  Eighth  Question 

Wright  replies  : — "After  the  departure  of  said  Prior,  certain  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town  (whose  names  Deponent  doth  not 
remember)  did  immediately  take  upon  them  the  government  of 
the  same  house,  and  did  receive  the  Rents  and  Revenues  thereof, 
but  by  what  authority  and  by  whose  appointment  Deponent 
knoweth  not." 

Bonde  replies. — "  One  Mr.  Millett,  now  deceased,  one  John 
Greene,  deceased,  Philip  Kistill,  Mr.  Chamberlyn,  Mr.  Blande, 
Mr.  Hunt,  Mr.  Cooke,  Tho.  Arnold,  and  John  Moore,  after  the 
departure  of  ye  said  Bromall,  did  take  upon  them  the  government 
of  the  same  house,  and  did  receive  the  rents  and  revenues  there- 
of to  their  own  proper  uses  ;  but  by  what  authority  or  by  whose 
commandment  Deponent  knoweth  not,  but  he  hath  heard  say  yt 
they  did  so  by  virtue  of  a  Lease  made  unto  them  by  the  said  Mr. 
Bromall." 

Whyte  replies.- — "  One  Mr.  Wynchecome  and  Mr.  Cystyll  and 
divers  other  inhabitants  did  take  upon  them  the  government,  and  • 
did  receive  the  rents,  revenues,  and  profits  thereof,  by  what  au- 
thority Deponent  knoweth  not.  Hath  heard  say  that  the  same 
was  given  by  Will  to  the  town,  but  this  Deponent  never  saw  any 
such  Will." 

Blandye  replies. — "The  M"  of  the  towne  of  Newberye  dyd 
present  one  Mr.  Pyckeringe  to  be  master  of  the  same  hospitall 
before  Busshopp  [Bishop]  Jewell ;  and  that  the  Inhabytants  of 
the  towne  of  Newbery  dothe  chuse  yerelye  ij  prockters  for  the 
gatheringe  vpp  of  the  Rentes  of  the  same  house,  and  to  pay  the 
said  M"'  and  the  poore  people  there  stippendes,  and  to  dis-'_ 
charge  all  other  dewtyes." 

Flaggefs  and  Moggworthis  replies  included  in  the  others. 

To  the  Ninth  Question 

Wright  raphes.^"  The  steeple  of  the  Church  and  two  bells 
and  other  ornaments  in  the  said  church  were  pulled  down,  with 
other  buildings,  by  ye  inhabitants;  for  what  cause  Deponent 
knoweth  not.  Sure  he  is  that  there  was  never  any  suppressing  of 
the  same  house  by  the  King's  commandment.  Knoweth  not  to 
what  use  the  same  pulled  down  were  employed,  but  only  to  the 
use  of  ye  inhabitants  (as  Deponent  thinketh)." 

Blandye  replies. — "  There  was  never  any  buyldinges  or  houses 
of  the  same  hospitall  pulled  downe,  and  that  there  was  never  any 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  221 

more  edyfices  or  other  buildinges  there,  but  onlye  the  chappell 
and  iiij  chambers  for  the  poore  people  and  one  other  tenement." 
The  others  included  in  Blandy^s  reply. 

To  the  Tenth  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  Can  say  nothing." 

Wright  replies. — "  Knoweth  not  what  rites  or  ceremonies 
were  used  within  the  said  chapel,  nor  knoweth  he  of  any  thing 
given,  assigned  or  appointed  by  any  person  or  persons  for  the 
maintenance  of  any  priest  or  priests  or  obit,  lamp  or  light,  or  any 
other  thing  saving  masses  commonly  used,  and  processions." 

Bonde  replies. — "  There  were  in  the  same  churche  masses  and 
processions  and  other  ceremonies  sometimes  twice  in  the  week, 
and  at  other  high  Festival  feasts  and  days,  and  more  things  there 
given  for  the  saying  of  masses  than  the  Landes  that  did  belong 
to  the  said  house." 

Whyte  replies. — "  Masses  and  processions  were  used  in  the 
said  chapel  twice  in  the  year,  viz.,  at  Bartholomewtyde  and  St. 
Marke's  Daye.     More  to  this  Deponent  cannot  say." 

Blandye  replies. — "That  there  was  never  any  rites  or  cere- 
monyes  vsed  in  the  same  chappell,  but  only  a  masse  sayd  on 
St.  Bartholomewes  Day  and  one  procession  in  the  Roga§on  weke; 
and  more  he  cannot  say  to  this  article." 

Moggworthe  "  cannot  depose." 

To  the  Eleventh  Question 

Wright  replies.  —  "The  same  house  is  now  governed  'by 
certene  of  the  chefest  of  the  inhabytantes  of  the  towne  of  New- 
berye,  as  Mr.  Kistill,  Mr.  Chamberlayne,  Mr.  Blande,  Mr.  Hunt, 
Mr.  Cooke,  Tho.  Arnoll,  and  Mr.  Moore  w""  others  more." 

Bonde  replies. — "  The  same  house  is  now  ruled  and  governed 
by  the  commandments  of  certain  of  the  '  chefest '  of  the  inhab- 
itants whose  names  are  already  set  down  by  Deponent.  He  saith, 
part  of  the  house  is  taken  down  by  the  foresaid  Inhabitants, 
'  and  other  some  thereof  is  fallen  down." 

Whyte  replies. — "  The  same  house  is  now  governed  and  ruled 
by  Mr.  Kystell,  Christofer  Walker,  Gabriel  Coxe,  and  Wm.  Hunt, 
and  in  no  respects  used  as  heretofore  it  hath  been,  saving  only 
a  fair  once  a  year,  '  and  one  curt  (court)  at  the  same  tyme.'" 

Blandye  replies. — "  That  the  sayd  hospitall  is  nowe  ruled  and 
governed  by  the  M'  of  the  same  house,  and  by  Bryan  Chamber- 


222  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

len,  Phillip  Kystell,  John  Myllett,  and  John  Grene,  ^nd  he  sayth 
that  yt  is  in  a  better  degree  and  order  than  heretofore  yt  hatha 
bene,  for  the  chappell  ys  converted  into  a  schole  house  in  Kinge 
Edward's  tyme,  and  so  hath  contynewed  sythence ;  and  that  the 
M''^  of  the  town  of  Nebery  doth  take  yerelye  an  accompt  of  the 
ij  prockters  of  the  Revenues  thereof,  and  how  it  is  bestowed." 
Flaggefs  and  Moggworthe' s  replies  included  in  above. 

To  the  Twelfth  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  The  house  is  not  used  in  such  sort  and  order 
now  as  it  was  about  40  years  ago.  By  what  means  the  townsmen 
deal  with  the  same,  or  by  whose  appointment  Deponent  knoweth 
not." 

Blandye  replies. — "That  the  sayd  hospitall  ys  kept  at  this 
present  as  yt  was  aboute  xl  yeres  past  and  rather  better;  and  he 
sayth  that  the  inhabytantes  of  the  same  towne  hath  allwayes  pre- 
sented the  M'  thereof  to  the  Busshopp  when  yt  was  vacant." 

Moggworthe  replies. — "  The  said  house  is  kept  at  present  as 
well  or  rather  better  than  it  hath  been  ahout  40  years  past.  The 
townsmen  did  challenge  it  because  it  was  their  own  before,  to  his 
knowledge  ;  and  they  have  enjoyed  and  occupied  the  same  about 
40  years  or  thereabouts  to  his  knowledge." 

The  other  replies  included  in  above. 

To  the  Thirteenth  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  It  passeth  not  12  years  or  thereabouts  since 
the  four  houses  were  built ;  doth  not  remember  how  long  they 
have  enjoyed  the  same.  The  building  brought  to  pass  by  the 
inhabitants,  but  by  what  sort  Deponent  knoweth  not.  The  said 
houses  so  built  are  near  to  the  said  Religious  house." 

^(7«i/«  replies. — "It  is  about  10  or  12  years  since 'the  four 
houses  were  built  by  the  foresaid  Inhabitants.  The  poore  people 
have  enjoyed  them  ever  since,  and  have  had  yearly  20  shillings 
paid  quarterly.  The  four  houses  are  built  near  to  the  said  Re- 
ligious house  'adioyninge  vppon  the  churche  wall  of  the  sayd 
priorye.'" 

Moggworthe  replies. — "The  four  houses  for  the  four  poor 
people  there  were  built  20  years  ago,  and  they  have  enjoyed  the 
same  so  long.  The  poor  men  were  appointed  by  the  townsmen. 
The  said  four  houses  '  builded  even  at  the  verye  end  of  the  hos- 
pitall house  there.' " 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  223 

Wright's  and  Whyte's  replies  included  in  above. 
Blandye  "  can  say  nothing." 

To  the  Fourteenth  Question 

Blandye  replies. — "  The  Master  of  the  same  hospital  from  time 
to  time  when  the  place  happened  to  be  void  was  chosen  and  pre- 
sented by  the  inhabitants." 

Whyte  replies. — "  The  '  chyfest '  of  the  inhabitants  did  from 
time  to  time  choose  and  present  the  Master  of  the  said  Priory 
when  it  happened  to  be  void  without  a  Prior.  More  he  cannot 
say." 

Moggworthe  replies. — "  Whenever  it  fortuned  that  the  Master 
of  the  said  house  died,  there  was  another  chosen  and  appointed 
by  the  townsmen — by  what  rule  or  order  Deponent  knoweth  not. 
There  were  never  any  ceremonies  had  or  used  upon  the  election 
of  a  new  Master  or  at  his  presentment  by  any  person  or  persons." 

The  other  witnesses  "can  say  nothing  certain.'' 

To  the  Fifteenth  Question 

Flaggetxt^\\t%. — "Since  or  before  the  31st  year  of  Hen.  8,  or  in 
the  reign  of  Edw.  6,  Mary,  and  the  now  Queen,  there  have  not 
been  any  poor  men  or  women  kept  in  the  said  Priory,  '  but  only 
the  fore  sayd  good  man  Heringe  and  his  wyfife,'  who  were  servants 
to  the  said  Priors,  until  the  building  of  the  foresaid  four  houses 
as  before  declared." 

Wright  replies. — "  For  30  years  now  last  past,  or  at  any  time 
before,  since  Deponent  knew  the  said  Religious  house,  no  poor 
men  or  women  were  kept  in  the  said  Priory  until  within  12  years 
past  or  thereabouts,  as  appointed  by  ye  said  townsmen." 

Bonde  replies. — "Neither  in  the  time  of  Hen.  8  since  the  31st 
year  of  his  reign,  nor  in  the  reigns  of  Edward  the  Sixth,  Queen 
Mary,  and  the  now  Queen  was  there  '  any  suppressinge,  pullinge, 
or  takinge  downe  of  the  sayd  priory  house  by  any  commandmt, 
frome  the  Kinges,  &c.'  Knew  not  of  any  poor  men  or  women 
since  or  before  to  be  kept  of  alms  by  the  said  Priors  (but  only 
the  said  Bullocke  in  Sir  Bromall's  time,  and  whether  he  was  kept 
of  almes  Deponent  knoweth  not)  until  now  of  late  since  the  four 
houses  were  built." 

Moggworther&'^Xxe:'!,.- — -"The  'chappell  beloninge  to  the  hospitall ' 
hath  not  been  relinquished  or  given  up  at  any  time  of  the  reigns 
of  H.  8,  Ed.  6,  Mary,  or  the  Queen  that  now  is ;  but  during  all 


224  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

these  times   'there  hath  bene  poore  men  or  women  kept  and 
mainteyned  there,  but  upon  what  cause  he  can  not  depose.' " 
Whytis  and  Blandyis  replies  included  in  above. 

To  the  Sixteenth  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  Did  know  that  one  Bennet  went  about  to 
deal  against  the  townsmen  of  Newbury,  as  concerning  the  same 
Priory,  with  the  appurts  above  30  years  since  (as  Deponent 
thinketh).  What  was  done  therein  doth  not  know,  but  (he 
thinketh)  the  townsmen  'agreed  with  him.'" 

Moggworthe  replies. — "Never  knew  that  one  Bennet  went 
about  to  deal  against  the  townsmen  of  Newbury  as  concerning 
the  said  hospital  with  the  appurtenances  or  any  part  thereof." 

Wright's  and  Blandyis  replies  same  as  Flaggefs. 

Bonde  and  Whyte  "  can  say  nothing  therein." 

To  the  Seventeenth  Question 

Flagget  replies. — "  The  same  Priory  house  and  lands  with 
appurts  which  the  said  Priors  enjoyed  are  now  divided  at  the 
liberties  and  pleasures  of  certain  of  the  '  chefest '  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  town  of  Newbury,  i.e.  Mr.  Kistell,  Mr.  Chamber- 
laine,  one  Ho[l]mes,  Master  Blandye,  Robt.  Arnold,  Ric.  Cooke, 
and  others.     More  he  cannot  say." 

Blandye  replies. — "That  certen  men  of  the  towne  of  New- 
berye  doth  now  occupye  and  enjoye  the  landes  and  tenements, 
w"'  thappttences  belonginge  to  the  sayd  hospitall  by  lease  holden 
of  the  M''  and  the  Keper,  and  Bryan  Chamberlyne,  Phillipe 
Kystell,  and  one  Myllett,  and  John  Grene,  who  toke  the  same  of 
Mr.  Bromald's  clerck." 

The  other  replies  included  in  the  above. 

To  the  Eighteenth  Question 

Whyte  replies  : — "  Saith  that  he  came  up  at  the  procurement 
of  the  townsmen  of  Newbury  to  this  end  and  for  no  other  end  to 
testify  a  truth.     More  he  cannot  say." 

Moggworthe  replies. — "  He  came  up  by  the  procurement  of  the 
townsmen  to  give  evidence  for  them  against  the  Queen." 

The  others  have  no  replies  entered. 

It  v^\\\  be  well  here  to  continue  the  list  of  Institutions  of 
the  Priors  or  Wardens  of  this  Hospital  during  the  present 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  225 

century,  the  names  of  the  preceding  governors  having  been 
already  given  in  previous  chapters  ° : — 

"  1507.  November  3rd.  Edmund  Worthyngton  was  collated 
to  the  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  at  Newbury,  vacant  by 
lapse  to  the  Bishop  through  a  vacancy  of  six  months." — Reg. 
Audley,  p.  33. 

"  1508.  October  i8th.  "Robert  Strata  was  instituted  to  the 
Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  of  Newbury,  vacant  by  the  resig- 
nation of  Edmund  Worthyngton,  on  the  presentation  of  the 
Townsmen  of  the  town. 

"  The  Bishop  assigned  a  yearly  pension  of  thirty-three  shillings 
and  four-pence  out  of  the  income  of  the  Hospital  to  Edmund 
Worthyngton  for  life,  for  his  support,  which  payment  Robert 
Streta  was  sworn  to  pay." — Reg.  Audley,  p.  38. 

"1522,  (No  month  given.)  John  Magott,  Priest,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  custody  of  the  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  of 
Newbury,  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Robert  Strete,  on  the 
presentation  of  Thomas  Benett  and  Matthew  Childe,  Constables 
of  the  town  of  Newbury,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  town." — Reg. 
Audley,  p.  93. 

"  1540.  December  sth.  Roger  Bridmold,  M.A.,  was  admitted 
to  the  Hospital  of  Saint  Bartholomew  at  Newbury,  vacant  by  the 
death  of  John  Magott,  on  the  presentation  of  Richard  Brydges, 
Esquire,  John  Wynchcome,  gentleman,  John  Goldwyer  and 
Walter  Collins,  Constables  of  the  Town  or  Borough  of  Newbury, 
and  other  Inhabitants  under  the  Seal  of  the  said  Town." — Reg. 
Capon,  p.  5. 

This  is  the  last  Admission  or  Institution  recorded  in  the 
Episcopal  Registers  at  Salisbury,  as  from  this  time  no 
Prior  or  Master  was  admitted  by  the  Bishops  of  the  Dio- 
cese, and  the  purposes  of  the  Hospital  were  gradually 
changed,  and  its  endowments  primarily  applied  for  the 
maintenance  of  certain  almshouses,  which  have  been  con- 
tinued in  increased  numbers  unto  the  present  day. 

Although  the  Hospital  apparently  did  not  come  under 
the  category  of  religious  houses  suppressed  at  the  Refor- 
mation, it  is  returned  with  the  list  of  Charities  and  frater- 
nities under  the  Act  by  which  the  revenues  of  all  such 

■  See  chaps,  viii.  and  ix. 

Q 


226  .Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

institutions  were  transferred  to  the  Crown.  It  is  thus 
reported  on  by  the  Commissioners  : — 

'"  One  hospytall  of  Seynt  Bartylmewe  founded  by  whome  (yt  ys 
vnknowen  vnto  the  Commyssioners)  to  thentent  to  have  one 
prest  to  synge  in  the  said  hospytall,  and  ij  pore  men  to  pray 
there  contynually,  And  every  of  them  to  have  for  there  stipende 
as  hereafter  fifolowyth. 

"  The  said  hospytall  ys  scytuate  within  the  pisshe  of  Newbery, 
Dystaunt  ffrome  the  pish  Churche  .  .  . 

"  The  value  of  ye  lands  and  tenements  to  1         .. 

TT  „  1.  1       •  (    xxnj"     xx"     OD. 

the  same  Hospytall  belongmg   .         .    ; 

whereof 

ffor  Rents  Resolute  .  Iviij'     ix''"* 

ffor  the  priest  .  .     iiij"  \     viij"      v'      V 

To  ij  pore  men       .  .  xxvj"  viij''J 

And  so  remayneth  .  .  .  xiiij"  xvj'  iij''  ob. 

which  syr  Roger  Bormer,  Gierke  Mr.  [Master]  of  the  same 
hospytall  do  Receyve  for  the  Repayrynge  of  the  said  houses 
there. 

"Ornaments,  plate,  Jewells  and  goods,  and  catalle  [chattels] 
merly  appteynynge  to  the  said  hospitall  ther  ar  none  as  the 
Comyssioners  be  enformede '." 

About  the  year  1599  certain  Commissioners,  consisting 
of  Sir  Thomas  Parry,  Sir  Humphrey  Forster,  and  others, 
under  the  Statute  of  Charitable  uses,  happening  to  sit  at 
Newbury  for  the  purpose  of  enquiring  into  the  Church 
Estate  and  the  Church  Almshouses,  it  was  at  the  same 
time  presented  to  the  Jury 

"  That  one  Roger  Broomhall,  sometime  Master  of  the  Hospital 
of  St.  Bartholomew  the  Apostle,  and  his  brethren,  by  indenture 
dated  i  &  2  Philip  and  Mary,  demised  to  Philip  Kistell, 
John  Millett,  John  Greeve,  and  Bryan  Chamberlain,  for  the  term 
of  60  years,  to  commence  at  Michaelmas  then  next  ensuing,  the 
said  hospital,  and  all  the  lands,  tenements,  fairs,  hereditaments 
thereto  belonging ;  which  lease  was  granted  upon  confidence  that 
they,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  should  dispose  the  same,  and  the 
issues  and  profits  thereof,  to  the  use  of  the  Master,  brethren  and 
sisters;  and  further,  it  was  presented  that  Bryan  Chamberlain, 

'  Chantry  Certificate  (Southampton  and  Berks),  No.  51. 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  227 

the  survivor  of  the  said  lessees,  had  died  intestate  several  years 
past,  and  that  no  one  had  taken  administration  of  the  goods  and 
chattels  of  the  said  Bryan,  nor  was  any  one  likely  so  to  do,  for 
he  died  greatly  indebted ;  and  it  was  further  presented  that  the 
rents  upon  the  premises  reserved  were  not  improved  to  the 
utmost  value  that  the  same  were  yearly  worth,  to  the  great  gain 
of  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  town  who  were  lessees 
thereof,  and  to  the  hurt  and  prejudice  of  the  poor,  for  whose  use 
the  said  lands  should  be  wholly  employed." 

Thereupon  the  Commissioners  by  their  decree,  dated 
April  18,  1599,  ordered  that  the  interest  of  the  ground- 
lease,  in  the  said  presentment  mentioned,  whereof  16  years 
were  then  unexpired,  should  remain,  for  all  the  years 
whereof  to  come,  to  the  Mayor,  &c.,  of  Newbury,  to  be 
employed  upon  the  relief  of  the  poor  brethren  and  sisters 
of  the  said  hospital,  according  to  the  true  intent  and 
meaning  of  the  said  demise ;  and  forasmuch  as  divers 
under-leases  had  been  granted  to  sundry  persons  dividedly, 
and  by  them  conveyed  to  others,  but  all  the  inhabitants  of 
Newbury,  and  such  as  could  not  be  ignorant  in  respect  of 
the  public  report  and  notice  given  of  the  true  intent  and 
meaning  of  the  said  lease,  that  it  was  intended  and  made 
for  the  relief  of  the  poor  brethren  and  sisters,  it  was  de- 
creed that  the  said  under-leases  should  be  void,  and  the 
Mayor,  &c.,  of  Newbury  should,  during  the  continuance  of 
the  original  lease,  employ  the  rents,  issues,  and  profits  of 
the  hospital  lands,  upon  the  relief  of  the  poor  brethren 
and  sisters  thereof.  And  from  that  time  till  the  passing 
of  the  Municipal  Corporations'  Act  in  1835,  the  Corporation 
of  Newbury  appear  to  have  retained  the  sole  control  of 
the  Hospital  estates,  and  the  disposition  of  its  revenues. 

A  Charter  granted  to  the  Borough  of  Newbury 
BY  Queen  Elizabeth  in  1596. 

The  borough  of  Newbury  is  said  to  have  existed  by 
prescription  from  a  very  early  date,  but  the  first  charter 
known  is  the  38th  Queen  Elizabeth,  1596,  in  the  preamble 
of  which  an  earlier  charter  is  referred  to,  and  the  town  is 

Q  2 


228  Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century. 

described  as  an  ancient  and  populous  borough,  which  had 
enjoyed  divers  liberties,  franchises,  and  privileges  by  the 
charters  of  many  of  her  progenitors  and  predecessors, 
kings  of  England.  Under  this  charter  the  government  of 
the  town  is  vested  in  a  Mayor,  High  Steward,  Recorder, 
six  Aldermen,  and  twenty-four  Capital  Burgesses,  assisted 
by  a  Town-clerk  and  other  officers.  The  Common  Council 
to  consist  of  not  less  than  sixteen  of  the  members,  being  a 
majority  of  the  whole  number,  namely,  the  mayor  for  the 
time  being,  three  aldermen,  and  twelve  capital  burgesses, 
who  are  invested  with  powers  to  proceed  to  the  election  of 
mayor  and  other  officials,  to  make  byelaws  and  ordinances 
for  the  public  utility  and  government  of  the  borough,  and 
the  "victualing  of  the  same."  The  charter,  which  sets 
forth  many  matters  of  detail,  appoints  Bartholomew  Yate 
as  the  first  mayor  of  Newbury,  together  with  Edward 
Holmes,  Roger  Saunderson,  Henry  Cox,  Gabriel  Cox, 
John  Kystel,  William  Barkesdale,  the  first  aldermen ;  and 
the  following  the  first  capital  burgesses  of  the  borough  : — 
Christopher  Walker,  William  Chamber,  Thomas  Goddard, 
Richard  Chese,  John  Hunt,  Gabriel  Cox  the  younger, 
Thomas  Getnet,  Chrjstopher  Grant,  Simon  Johnson,  John 
Greenways,  Robert  Cooke,  Thomas  Bate,  Thomas  New- 
man, William  Rippon,  Richard  Yonge,  Thomas  Parker, 
Richard  Gardener,  Henry  Yate,  John  Shipton,  Maurice 
Shipton,  Henry  Shipton,  Christopher  Twiste,  John  Barkes- 
dale, and  Thomas  Barkesdale  ;  the  first  High  Steward,  Sir 
John  Wolley,  the  Queen's  Latin  secretary. 

A  Court  of  Record  is  authorised  to  be  held  in  the 
Guildhall  on  every  Tuesday,  weekly,  throughout  the  year, 
before  the  mayor,  or  one  of  the  aldermen,  to  take  cogni- 
zance of  debts  and  of  other  matters  happening  within  the 
borough,  not  exceeding  in  value  twenty  marks.  The  Cor- 
poration are  directed  to  appoint  "  four  honest  and  discreet 
men,  learned  in  the  law  of  this  kingdom,"  to  be  attorneys 
of  the  court,  by  whom  the  suits  and  proceedings  of  such 
court  are  to  be  conducted.  Four  annual  fairs  are  insti- 
tuted, namely,  on  Ascension  Day,  on  Midsummer  Day,  on 
St.  Bartholomew's  Day,  and  on  the  Feast  of  SS.  Simon 


Newbury  in  the  Sixteenth  Century.  229 

and  Jude.  A  Piepowder  Court  is  attached  to  each  of  such 
fairs,  with  stallage,  picage,  fines  and  amerciaments  ap- 
pertaining to  such  fairs  and  piepowder  court.  For  these 
privileges  the  Corporation  are  to  render  yearly  the  rent  of 
three  pounds,  payable  into  the  exchequer.  They  are  em- 
powered to  nominate  one  of  the  aldermen,  who,  and  the 
mayor,  are  authorised  to  act  as  justices  of  the  peace 
within  the  borough,  except  in  murder  and  felony,  or  other 
matter  touching  the  loss  of  life  or  limb.  The  charter 
concludes  with  the  following  grant  and  confirmation  of  all 
"  such  legal  donations,  concessions,  liberties,  markets,  profits, 
court  leets,  view  of  frankpledge,  law  days,  exemptions, 
privileges,  franchises,  articles  and  customs,  which  the 
burgesses  of  the  said  borough,  by  any  incorporate  name 
or  names  whatsoever,  or  under  colour  of  any  incorpora- 
tion by  any  charter,  letters  patent,  or  grant  of  us,  or  of 
any  our  progenitors,  or  by  any  other  lawful  custom  or 
prescription,  they  heretofore  lawfully  held  and  enjoyed." 

The  "  Ordinances  "  for  the  Government  of  the  borough, 
41st  of  Elizabeth,  which  are  to  some  extent  an  exempli- 
fication of  the  Queen's  charter,  represent  a  highly-finished 
specimen  of  caligraphy.  It  is  under  the  signatures  and 
seals  of  Thomas  Egerton  (Baron  EUesmere,  Viscount 
Brackley),  Lord  Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal  of  England ; 
Thomas  Sackville,  first  Baron  Buckhurst,  created  Earl  of 
Dorset,  March  13,  1603,  K.G.,  Lord  Chief  Treasurer  of 
England ;  and  Sir  Edmund  Anderson,  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Common  Pleas.  The  introductory  words  in  this  instru- 
ment are  beautifully  illuminated  in  letters  of  gold ;  while 
above  are  the  royal  arms,  the  borough  arms,  and  the  arms 
of  Gabriel  Cox  and  William  Barkesdale,  two  of  the  alder- 
men. 


CHAPTER    XI. 


flewDurs  in  tbe  Seventeentb  Centurs. 

T  HE  Manorial  and  Civic  History.— The  Tolls  of  the  Markets  and  Fairs. 
—Grant  of  the  lordship  to  Anne,  Queen  of  James  I.— Survey  of  the 
Manor.— Grants  to  Sir  Henry  Hobart,  and  others — Petition  to  Parlia- 
ment by  Inhabitants  of  Newbury. — Grant  of  the  Manor  to  the  Mayor 
and  Corporation. — The  New  Charters  granted  by  Charles  II.,  1664,  by 
James  II.,  in  1685. — The  Municipal  Records. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — The  Weavers'  Company,  1601. 
—King  James  I.  and  Queen  Anne  of  Denmark  at  Newbury,  1603. — The 
Plague  of  1603-5. — The  Earl  of  Salisbury  at  Newbury,  1612. — Queen 
Anne  of  Denmark  again  at  Newbury,  1613. — The  Wooden  Bridge  over 
the  Kennet,  1623. — The  Subsidy  Roll,  1629. — The  Civil  Wars,  and  the 
Battles  of  Newbury,  1643-44. — Cromwell  visits  Newbury,  1649. — New- 
bury Tokens,  1652-57. — Dutch  Prisoners  sent  to  Newbury,  1653. — The 
Rising  in  the  West,  1655. — Visits  of  Evelyn,  Charles  II.,  James  II.,  and 
William  III.,  to  Newbury. 

QUEEN  Elizabeth,  by  Letters  Patent  of  July  9,  1602, 
appointed  Edward   Long,  of  Newbury,  yeoman,  "  in 
consideration  of  the  service  done  by  him  in  our  warres," 

"Gatherer  and  Receiver  of  all  and  singular  our  Com  and 
Grain  called  Tollcorne,  from  time  to  time  coming,  arising,  growing, 
accruing  and  renewing  in  all  and  every  the  Markets  and  Fairs 
hereafter  to  be  holden  within  our  Borough  of  Newbury  aforesaid, 
within  the  said  County  of  Berks." 

The  Queen  (Elizabeth)  died  March  24,  1603,  when  the 
manor,  having  remained  in  the  Crown,  came  to  King 
James  L,  who,  on  the  following  September  19, 

"  Grants,  by  M'^rit  of  Privy  Seal,  to  his  Consort  the  Lady  Anne, 
Queen  of  England,  in  full  recompense  of  her  jointure  and  dower 
(a  great  number  of  Lordships  and  Manors,  and  amongst  them) 
the  Lordship  and  Manor  of  Newbury,  with  all  its  rights,  members 
and  appurtenances,  late  parcel  of  the  possessions  assigned  to  the 
late  Queen  Elizabeth  before  her  Accession  to  the  Crown  of 
England.     To  have,  hold,  and  enjoy  the  same  for  the  term  of 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  23 1 

her  natural  life  without  rendering  an  account  or  doing  anything 
therefor. 

"Witness  the  King  at  Hatfield,  19  September  [1603]." 

Anne,  Queen  of  James  I.,  to  whom  the  Manor  of  New- 
bury was,  as  we  have  seen,  assigned  in  dower,  by  In- 
denture of  August  I,  1605,  reciting  the  last  Indenture  of 
1602,  demised  to  the  said  Edward  Long  and  Margery  his 
wife — 

"  The  gathering,  taking,  and  receiving  of  all  and  singular  Her 
Majesty's  Corn  and  Grain,  and  all  other  Tollage,  called  the  Toll, 
from  time  to  time  coming,  arising,  &c.,  &c.,  in  all  and  every  the 
said  Markets  and  Fairs  holden  within  the  said  town  of  New- 
bury. 

"To  hold  and  enjoy,  &c.,  to  the  said  Edward  Long  and 
Margery  his  wife  and  their  assigns  for  the  term  of  40  years, 
rendering  the  sum  of  3^.  /^d.  yearly." 

This  extension,  it  appears,  was  obtained  on  the  irrepres- 
sible importunities  of  the  wife  of  the  lessee,  and  the  Clerk 
of  the  Council  has  made  this  note  upon  the  petition  which 
was  presented  : — 

"Agreed  upon  by  yor  highness  counsell  uppon  the  Infinite 
Clamor  of  the  Petitioner  onelye "  (Rob.  Hitcham).  To  which 
the  Secretary  of  State  has  appended  this  note  : — '  It  is  Her  Ma.'s 
pleasure  to  dispatch  this  clamorous  woman.  This  is  drawen  by 
all  her  Counsells  advise. — Ro.  Cecyll.'" 

A  Survey  of  the  Manor  of  Newbury  was  made  on 
October  10,  in  the  sixth  year  of  the  reign  of  King  James, 
1608,  by  John  Hercy  the  younger,  Esq.,  by  virtue  of  a 
Commission  of  the  said  Lord  the  King  to  him  and  Richard 
Guppey,  Gentleman,  directed  out  of  the  Exchequer  upon 
the  oath  of  Sir  Francis  Castillion,  Knt.,  Roger  Knight, 
Esq.,  and  Thomas  Gough,  Gent.,  stewards ;  the  tenants 
there,  and  others. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  names  which  occur  in 
the  Survey : — 

"  John  Winchcombe,  Gent.,  John  Barksdale,  Nicholas  Fuller, 
Robt.   Chamberlain,    Christopher    Graunte,    Humfry    Holmes, 


232  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Thomas  Gyles  (who  holds  '  three  messuages  near  the  Barrs  in 
Newbury,  parcel  of  the  possessions  of  the  monastery  of  Wherwell, 
lately  dissolved '),  Nicholas  Curtis,  Thomas  Gyles  (one  tenement 
in  Cheap  Street,  late  parcel  of  the  possessions  of  the  Chantry  of 
St.  Mary  in  Newbury),  Brian  Cooke,  Henry  Yeate,  Richard 
Dixon,  Gilbert  Johnson,  clerk,  William  Linche,  Richard  Walter, 
Thomas  Martin,  Robert  Taylor,  William  Camber,  Richard  Dixon, 
Roger  Sanderson,  Sarah  Maton,  John  Wrenche,  Thomas  Holmes, 
Thomas  Coldwell,  Edward  Longman,  Thomas  Houlton,  William 
Rippon,  Robert  White,  Richard  Watts,  clerk,  Richard  Knape, 
John  Hunt,  Thomas  White,  Gabriel  Cox  the  elder,  Philip  Coxe, 
William  Twyne,  John  Awynder,  George  Easton,  Abraham  Con- 
nam,  clerk,  Thomas  Brickenson,  John  Cooke,  John  Helton, 
Henry  Norcrofife,  William  Howse,  Roger  Lynche,  John  Martin, 
Richard  Gardner,  Richard  Averye,  John  Kistell,  Alice  Frome, 
Alice  Newman,  John  Chamberlain,  William  Saunders,  Thomas 
Newman,  John  Hunt,  John  Wolridge,  Thomas  Gymmot,  William 
Cotman,  Edmund  Perce,  Agnes  Johnson,  James  Cursell,  Thomas 
Gayger,  WilHam  Wilkinson,  Edmund  Joynor,  Stephen  Sparrowe, 
Richard  Foster,  Morgan  Scallhopp,  John  Orpewood,  Thomas 
Russell,  John  Brooke,  Thomas  Butler,  Robert  Faithful,  Mary 
Harris,  Humphry  Garland,  James  Hait,  Gilbert  Millett,  Agnes 
Baninges,  Jocose  Hid,  John  Henscridge,  Jane  Foskatt,  Richard 
Sugden,  David  Morrell.  Bartholomew  Yates  and  others  claim 
to  hold  '  certain  Houses  called  the  Shops  lying  upon  the  Bridge 
in  Newberye  aforesaid.'" 

The  names  of  the  Jurors  attached  to  the  Survey  are  as 
follows  : — 

Thomas  Newman,    Wm.  Saunders,  Roger  Weston, 

Henry  Lynch,  Thomas  Gyles,  his  mark,  John  Woods, 

Ric.  Balle,  Edw.  Longman,  Ric.  Averye, 

Thomas  Galley,  Peter  Brightwell,  Xtopher  Sargant, 

William  Shaw,  Thomas  Wheeler,  George  James. 

John  Ryppon,  Hugh  Hawkins, 

The  following  names  of  tenants  occur  as  occupiers  in 
the  several  streets  to  which  their  names  are  given : — 
"  Bartholomew  Street  Bartholomew  Street 

(West  Part).  (East  Part). 

William  Keate,  Henry  Palmer, 

Richard  Golding,  Thomas  Jurde, 


Nezvbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 


233 


John  EUinger, 
John  Hawkins, 
Thomas  Goddard, 
Nicholas  Skynner, 
Jo.  Ellyott, 
Thomas  Dove, 
William  Petty. 

northbrook  street 
(East  Part), 

Wilham  Allen, 
Richard  Waller, 
Roger  Weston, 
Robert  Norris, 
Thomas  Cobbe,  late, 
Jo.  Saunders, 
Geo.  Bullock, 
Thomas  Arrowsmyth. 


Cheape  Street 
(West  Part). 

Henry  Yate, 
Robt  Tanem, 
Wm.  Webb, 
Thos.  Trusloe,  late, 
Wm.  Twynes, 
Alice  Gardiner, 
late  Edw.  Ap.  Reeves, 
Wm.  Ratcliffe,  late, 
late  John  Poore, 
Gabriel  Cox% 
Roger  Sanderson, 
Raphe  Horsley, 


John  Ryves, 

Nicholas  Bachellor, 

Raphe  Patie,  Margerie  Taylor, 

and  —  Pierce,  widow. 
Raphe  Simpson, 
Elizabeth  Jaies, 
William  Dormer, 
William  Pokins. 

NoRTHBROOK   STREET 

(West  Part). 

William  Cotman, 

Richard  Englefield, 

Richard  Younge, 

Robert  Waight, 

Thomas  Beaue  [Bew], 

Wm.  Sanders, 

Richard  Ailifif, 

Francis  Crannedge(now  No.  86), 

Edmond  Pearse, 

John  Camber, 

John  Barksdale, 

Tho.  Furyvall, 

Christaine  Hales,  widow. 

Cheape  Street 
(East  Part). 

Thomas  Skynner, 
Wm.  Shuff, 
Wm.  Harding, 
Thos.  Hughes, 
Thos.  Corffe, 
Wm.  Morwoys  [Morris], 
Thos.  Cowley, 
Edward  Longman, 
Richard  Dixon, 
Nich°.  Gosse, 
Thos.  Walter, 
Wm.  Salte, 


•  Gabriel  Cox,  or  Coxe,  entertained  Charles  I.  at  his  house  at  Newbury 
during  the  time  the  King  was  quartered  in  the  town  in  1643. 


234  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Wm.  Wilton,  Geo.  Easton, 

Gabriel  Holland,  Wm.  Rippon, 

Joane  Newbie,  Adrian  Jones, 

Wm.  Allen,  Hugh  Cook, 

—  Mondaie,  Rob.  Tufton, 

And.  Leicester,  Edm.  Bridges,  Ar., 

Robt.  Mason,  Humphry  Taylor, 

Robt.  Frankham,  (Upper  and  Nether  Garfords) 

Thos.  King,  John  Nightingale, 

Nich.  Bennett,  Wm.  Lovegrove, 

Geo.  Ladd,  Morgan  Hawes, 

Thos.  Hellyer.  John  Wilton." 

After  stating  the  amount  of  the  value  of  the  Rents  of 
Assise  of  the  Freehold  Tenants,  then  follow  the  Rents  of 
the  Leasehold  Tenants,  amongst  which  are  as  follow  : — 

"  Edward  Long  and  Margery  his  wife  hold  by  Letters  Patent 
of  the  Lady  the  late  Queen,  bearing  date  the  [9  July,  1602],  in 
the  [44th]  year  of  her  Reign,  All  that  Toll  issuing  and  growing 
out  of  the  Markets  in  the  Town  of  Newbury. 

"  To  hold,  &c.     Rent  is.  \d. 

"  Gabriel  Cox,  Christopher  Graunte,  and  Nicholas  Batchelor 
hold  by  virtue  of  a  demise  by  the  Lady  Anne,  Queen  of  England, 
dated  the  24th  day  of  January,  in  the  2nd  year  of  the  Reign  of 
James  the  now  King,  &c..  All  the  Stallage  and  the  Stalls  of 
Newbury,  and  the  Piccage  there,  and  all  profits,  &c.,  to  Stallage 
and  Piccage  belonging,  &c.,  by  reason  of  the  Fairs  and  Markets 
to  be  holden  there. 

"  To  hold,  &c.,  for  22  years  by  the  rent  of  40s." 

By  another  Indenture  dated  April  6,  8  Jac.  I.,  1610, 
reciting  the  above  Letters  Patent  of  July  9,  1602,  and 
the  Lease  of  August  i,  1605,  and  also  the  Surrender  by 
the  said  Edward  Long  and  wife  of  their  right  term  and 
interest  in  the  premises.  Queen  Anne  granted  and  demised 
to  the  said  Edward  Long  and  wife 

"The  gathering,  &c.,  of  all  and  singular  Toll,  Corn,  and  other 
grain  and  all  Tollage  called  Tolls  from  time  to  time  coming,  &c., 
in  all  and  every  the  Markets  and  Fairs  holden  within  the  said 
town  of  Newbury. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  235 

"To  hold  for  100  years.     Rendering  35.  \d.  yearly. 

"By  Letters  Patent  of  May  30,  3  Car.  I.,  1627,  reciting  that 
King  James  the  First,  by  Indenture  dated  Oct.  5  in  the  17  th  year 
of  his  reign,  had  granted  and  demised  to  Sir  Henry  Hobart  and 
others  All  those  lands,  tenements,  and  hereditaments  in  Newbury 
lately  purchased  of  William  Essex,  Knight. 

"  And  All  those  his  Lordship,  Manor,  Town,  Grange,  Farm, 
Rents,  Revenues,  and  Hereditaments  of  Newiery,  or  called  Newhery , 
parcel  of  the  possessions  assigned  to  the  late  Queen  Elizabeth 
before  her  accession  to  the  throne  of  England,  and  parcel  of  the 
jointure  of  the  King's  late  Mother  Queen  Anne. 

"  To  hold  for  99  years,  if  said  Edward  Long  and  Margery  his 
wife,  and  Richard  Long  their  son  should  so  long  live,  at  a  rent. 

"  And  also  reciting  an  assignment  of  the  remainder  of  said 
Term  to  certain  persons  in  said  Letters  Patent  named. 

"  The  King  for  £,^0  paid  by  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Bur- 
gesses of  Newbury  granted  to  them  and  their  successors  in  Fee  the 
Reversion  of  the  said  Town,  Manor,  6rc.  And  all  those  customary 
rents,  &c.  And  (jnter  alia)  the  Stallage  and  Stalls  of  the  town  of 
Newbury,  and  all  Tolls,  Piccage,  and  Profits  arising  from  the 
Markets  and  Fairs  in  the  said  town.  Subject  to  a  yearly  payment 
of  £25  AS-  2\d:' 

Among  the  few  remaining  municipal  documents  a  tran- 
script of  the  following  petition  has  been  preserved,  which 
is  without  date  or  address ;  but  William  Howes,  whose 
name  appears  as  mayor,  held  that  office  in  1626.  It  was 
apparently  presented  to  Parliament  by  some  of  the  chief 
inhabitants  of  Newbury  shortly  before  the  Corporation 
acquired  the  manor  from  the  Crown  : — 

"  Rt.  Honble.  That  the  Mair,  Aldermen,  and  Burgesses  might 
take  the  Manor  and  liberties  thereof  in  fee  farme.  Your  honble 
House  hath  bin  informed  that  the  said  suite  is  only  the  desire  of 
some  few  within  the  town,  and  not  general,  and  yet  that  your 
honble  House  hath  bin  obliged  to  admit  the  said  Corporation  to 
compound  for  the  same,  make  bold  to  testifie  your  honble  House 
that  we  specially  desire  the  said  Corporation  to  be  possessed 
thereof  before  any  other.  Wee  having  good  experience  of  their 
great  love  and  regard  for  the  welfare  of  the  town,  and  of  helping 
to  safe  [save]  the  poor  inhabitants  thereof  in  all  taxes  and  pay- 
ments within  the  town  that  they  possibly  can,  and  in  keeping  the 


236  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

town  in  good  order,  for  which  your  honble  favour  shewed  to 
them  in  their  behalf,  wee  and  all  our  posteritie  with  many  more 
shall  be  each  bound  to  pray  to  God  for  your  honbles  long  life 
and  prosperous  estate. 

William  Howes,  Mair. 

Gabriell  Coxe,  the  elder.       Thomas  Chokke.       Richard  Money. 

William  Twisse  (Rector).      William  Grove.  Timothie  Avery. 

Thomas  Dolman.  Robert  Daunce.        William  Wilmot. 

&c.,  &c.,  &c." 

Attached  to  this  petition  is  the  clarum  et  venerabile  no- 
men  of  Dr.  Twisse,  who  at  that  time  had  considerable 
influence  at  court,  but  subsequently  became,  as  is  well 
known,  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Parliamentary  cause. 

The  description  of  the  property  granted  to  the  Corpora- 
tion of  Newbury  is  very  minutely  set  forth,  and  com- 
prises— 

"  Rents  of  Assize  of  Free  Tenants  in  Cheape  Street  of  the  annual 
value  of  ;^4  5J-.  \\\d.  Rents  of  Assize  of  Free  Tenants  in  Bar- 
tholomew Street  of  the  annual  value  of  \os.  6d.,  and  one  pound 
of  pepper.  Rents  of  Assize  of  the  Free  Tenants  of  Northbrock 
Street  of  the  annual  value  of  16s.  ^d.  Rents  of  Assize  of  Free 
Tenants  in  Mirihill  of  the  annual  value  of  3^.  lod.  ;  and  in  Milne 
Street  of  the  annual  value  of  i6s.  iid.  Also  Rents  of  Assize  of 
Free  Tenants  in  Speenhamland  worth  8s.  iid.  yearly,  amounting 
in  the  whole  to  the  Annual  Rent  of  ^7  2s.  6^d.  ^  and  one  pound 
of  pepper,  parcel  of  the  possessions  purchased  of  William  Essex, 
Knight,  granted  to  the  Crown  before  the  accession  of  the  King 
(Charles  1).  Together  with  the  following  appurtenances  to  the 
Manor  of  Newbury :  Rents  of  Assize  of  Free  Tenants  ^^3  6s.  8d: 
yearly ;  a  meadow  lying  near  a  tenement  occupied  by  Matthew 
Childe  of  the  annual  value  of  8s.  ;  a  Fulling  Mill  called  the  West 
Mill,  late  in  the  tenure  or  occupation  of  Roger  Bennett,  of  the 
annual  value  of  10^. ;  another  Mill  called  the  Westmill,  late  in  the 
occupation  of  John  Dolman,  of  the  annual  value  of  5s.  All  that 
parcel  of  land  called  the  Pedle,  late  in  the  occupation  of  John 
Saunderson,  of  the  annual  value  of  2od.  A  parcel  of  land  called 
the  Racks,  late  in  the  same  occupation,  of  the  annual  value  of  i2d. 
A  piece  of  land  lying  at  the  end  of  the  street  called  Merihill,  late 
of  Stephen  Stoner,  of  the  annual  value  of  8^.  All  that  the  Gore 
'•  There  is  an  error  of  2d.  in  the  total  mentioned  in  the  grant. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  237 

at  the  West  Mill,  late  in  the  occupation  of  Robert  Avenell,  of  the 
annual  value  of  4^.  All  that  parcel  of  land  called  the  Pedle 
lying  on  the  east  side  of  Cheape  Street,  of  the  annual  value  of  8(/., 
amounting  in  the  whole  to  2  7 j.  and  ?>d.  yearly.  Also  a  rent  of 
4^.  yearly  payable  by  William  Millet,  Fishmonger,  for  a  piece  of 
waste  soil  near  the  river  for  the  building  of  a  stone  wall  for  the 
defence  of  the  water  from  his  house.  The  quit  rents  for  encroach- 
ments and  other  issues  amounting  to  ;^3  is.  i\d.  yearly." 

The  manor  with  the  appurtenances  being  of  the  clear 
annual  value  of  ^^13  IQJ.  9\d.,  and  with  other  premises 
granted  and  assigned  amounting  in  the  whole  to  the  sum 
of  £2.\  2s.  \^d.,  and  one  pound  of  pepper. 

The  fee-farm  rent  reserved  in  the  above  Grant  is  now 
paid  by  the  Corporation  of  Newbury  to  Richard  Benyon, 
Esq.,  who  acquired  the  interest  of  the  Crown  in  the  manor 
by  purchase. 


Charters  granted  by  Charles  II.,  1664, 
AND  James  II.,  1685. 

We  have  already  seen  that  the  burgesses  and  inhab- 
itants of  the  Borough  of  Newbury  were  incorporated  by 
Charter  of  the  38th  year  of  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
1596,  and  that  Charles  I.,  in  the  third  year  of  his  reign, 
1627,  granted  to  the  Corporation  and  their  successors  the 
reversion  (being  then  under  lease)  of  the  town  and  manor 
of  Newbury.  On  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.  the  statute 
passed  for  the  correction  of  the  Corporations  afforded 
ready  means  for  an  attack  on  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
corporate  bodies,  and  was  also  made  a  pretext  for  raising 
money  and  every  species  of  usurpation.  Extreme  use  was 
taken  of  the  opportunity ;  the  old  members  and  officers  of 
the  Corporations  were  displaced,  and  no  Corporation  had 
any  chance  of  continuing  its  existence  without  compliance 
with  the  wishes  of  the  King.  The  object  of  the  Crown 
being  to  obtain  a  direct  control  over  all  municipal  elec- 
tions. The  town  of  Newbury  was  also  thought  to  have 
justly  called  down  judgment  on  itself,  having  been  ren- 
dered obnoxious  to  the  King  by  the  side  it  took  during 


238  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

the  Civil  War ;  and  the  occasion  was  therefore  taken  to 
call  upon  the  Corporation  to  shew  by  what  authority  they 
claimed  to  be  a  body  corporate,  and  to  exercise  their  pri- 
vileges and  authority  specified  in  the  Information.     After 
the  issue  of  the  writ  of  Quo  Warranto,  the  King  sent  his  offi- 
cers to  all  parts  of  the  kingdom  to  terrify  the  Corporations 
by  the  threat  of  legal  proceedings  to  give  up  their  Charters. 
The  Corporation  of  Newbury  voluntarily  surrendered  those 
it  possessed,  on  the  promise  of  having  new,  and  possibly 
more  favourable  grants  from  the  Crown,  and  submitted 
entirely  to  the  King.     The  new  Charter  was  granted  in 
1664-5   (16  Car.  II.).     James  II.  pursued  the  plan  of  his 
brother,   taking  the  Corporations  under  his  control,  and 
therefore  in  the  grant  of  charters  in  the  place  of  those 
which  had  been  surrendered,  introduced,  as  Charles  II. 
had  done,  in  all  those  he  granted  the  clauses  which  gave 
the  whole  power  to  the  select  bodies,  and  made  them  re- 
movable at  the  will  of  the  Crown.     The  Corporation  of 
Newbury,  as  they  had  done  in  the  preceding  reign,  again 
surrendered  their  charters,  and  a  new  one  was  granted  in 
the  first  year  of  the  reign  of  James  II.    (1685),  and  is 
considered  by  the  Corporation  to  be  their  governing  char- 
ter, under  which  their  title  is  "  The  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and 
Burgesses  of  the  Borough  of  Newbury."     The  validity  of 
this   Charter  of  James    II.  is   thought   to  be   extremely 
doubtful,  as  it  does  not  recite  or  refer  to  any  surrender 
of  previous  charters^  nor  can  any  mention  of  such  a  sur- 
render be  found  at  the  Record  Office,  or  elsewhere.     But 
the  contents  of  the  charter  and  its  date  render  it  prob- 
able that  it  was  granted  in  common  with  most  charters  of 
that  time,  on  the  surrender  of  former  liberties,  and  if  so, 
it  is  conceived  that  this  Charter  of  James  II.  is  void,  as 
the  previous  surrender  was  not  enrolled.     The  fact  that 
the  Corporation  immediately  returned  to  the  usage  of  the 
Charter  of  Elizabeth  upon  the  issuing  of  the  celebrated 
Proclamation  of  October  17,  1688,  annulling  all  the  sur- 
renders which  had  been  made,  and  reviving  the  ancient 
charters,  tends  to  confirm  the  opinion.     It  appears  that 
previously  to  proceedings  upon  a   Quo   Warranto  in  the 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  239 

year  1829,  the  Corporation  acted  upon  the  38th  Elizabeth 
as  their  governing  charter ;  in  consequence,  however,  of 
a  defective  election  of  Mayor  under  that  charter,  upon 
which  the  Quo  Warrafito  proceeded,  they  recurred  to  the 
Charter  of  James  II.,  which  they  contended  was  still  valid, 
and  under  which  the  election  in  question  was  regular. 
This  Charter  of  James  II.  is  very  inaccurately  penned,  and 
gives  contradictory  directions  respecting  the  election  of 
officers  and  members  of  the  Corporation,  &c.  It  reserves 
to  the  King  the  power  of  removing  the  High  Steward, 
Mayor,  Recorder,  or  any  of  the  Aldermen,  Justices,  or 
Burgesses  by  an  Order  in  Council,  and  declares  that  upon 
the  receipt  of  such  Order  the  officers  to  whom  it  refers 
shall  be  ipso  facto  removed  without  any  further  process. 
Under  this  charter  the  number  of  the  aldermen  is  in- 
creased, but  the  number  of  capital  burgesses  in  diminished. 
It  also  provides  that  there  should  be  thirteen  members 
of  the  Court  present  on  the  election  of  Mayor.  From  this 
period  the  direct  interference  of  the  Crown  altogether 
ceased ;  the  indirect  interference  became  gradually  les- 
sened, till  in  modern  times  it  has  become  almost  extinct, 
and  no  influence  can  be  less  exercised  .than  that  which 
belongs  to  the  Crown  in  regard  to  Corporation  privi- 
leges. 

The  Municipal  Records. 

The  principal  Records  of  the  town  which  have  been 
preserved  consist  of  the  Corporation  Charters  from 
Queen  Elizabeth  to  James  II.  ;  the  Court  Leet  Journals, 
which  are  extant  from  the  year  1640,  with  a  slight  gap 
here  and  there,  up  to  recent  years ;  the  Corporation  Jour- 
nals, which  commence  in  1676;  and  the  Records  of  the 
Court  of  Quarter  Sessions,  which  commence  in  the  early 
part  of  the  reign  of  Charles  II. ;  finally  the  Chamberlain's 
Accounts,  which  commence  in  1672.  The  Corporation 
Charters  have  already  been  given  in  abstract,  and  require 
no  further  notice  except  to  say  that  they  are  now  carefully 
preserved  in  the  Council  Chamber. 

The  duties  of  the  Court  Leet  were  very  important  ones, 


240  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

being  a  court  of  record,  and  having  jurisdiction  of  such 
crimes  as  are  punishable  by  common  law ;  and  taking 
cognizance  of  all  offences  against  the  Crown,  under  high 
treason,  crimes  of  assault,  arson,  burglary,  larceny,  man- 
slaughter, and  murder ;  but  for  the  greater  number  of  mat- 
ters brought  before  the  Court  Leet  the  remedy  was  by 
fine  and  amercement ;  the  former  assessed  by  the  deputy- 
steward  or  recorder,  and  the  latter  by  the  jury ;  for  both 
of  which  the  lord  may  have  an  action  of  debt,  or  take  a 
distress,  &c.  The  Court  also  appointed  the  Constables, 
Bailiffs,  Tythingmen,  Bread  and  Butter  weighers,  and  Ale 
Tasters,  Flesh  and  Fish  Tasters,  Overseers  for  East  and 
West  Fields,  Northcroft,  and  the  Marsh,  and  for  the  town 
ditch  in  Northbrook-street,  Haywards  for  the  Common 
fields  and  the  Wash,  for  the  Market-place,  Marsh,  and 
Northcroft,  Scavenger  for  the  streets.  Bellman,  Crier,  &c. 

A  Court  Baron  of  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  New- 
bury, as  lords  of  the  manor,  was  also  held  with  the  Court 
Leet.  This  was,  i.  a  customary  court,  appertaining  to 
copyholders,  in  which  their  estates  were  transferred  by  sur- 
render or  admittance,  and  other  matters  transacted  relating 
to  copyhold  property  :  2.  A  court  of  enquiry  into  the  state 
of  the  lord's  property,  and  respecting  the  freeholders  and 
their  holdings  ;  and  it  was  also  a  court  of  common  law, 
for  determining  controversies  touching  the  right  of  lands 
within  the  manor,  and  for  personal  actings  (for  recovery 
of  debt  or  damage),  where  the  debt  or  damage  did  not 
amount  to  40i'. 

The  Court  Leet  Journals  contain  little  matter  of  inter- 
est after  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  being  mere 
repetitions  of  presentments  for  not  attending  the  Leet 
Court,  infringements  on  the  borough  boundaries,  neglect 
of  sanitary  regulations,  and  other  offences  against  the  pub- 
lic health,  and  the  social  well-being  of  the  town.  The 
Leet  Jury  is  not  now  summoned  in  Newbury,  and  gra- 
dually all  the  uses  and  privileges  of  this  useful  institution 
of  our  ancestors  wear  away  as  the  Courts  have  fallen  into 
desuetude.  The  inhabitants  for  many  years  past,  con- 
ceiving that  they  were  not  bound  to  attend  on  the  Court 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  241 

Leet  Jury,  and  the  fines  leviable  for  non-attendance  being 
both  inadequate  in  amount  and  not  worth  the  distraining 
for,  these  venerable  Courts  from  disuse  and  neglect,  rather 
than  decrepitude  and  insuiRciency,  have  virtually  ceased 
to  exist. 

The  Corporation  Journals,  anterior  to  the  year  1676, 
have  been  either  lost  or  destroyed.  It  has  been  stated 
that  these  and  other  muniments  of  the  Corporation  were 
demanded  and  obtained  by  Cromwell's  Commissioners,  and 
never  returned,  which  is  not  at  all  improbable,  as  the  Par- 
liamentary Party  were  in  the  possession  of  the  town  for 
some  years. 

From  the  Records  of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions 
we  gain  considerable  authentic  information  that  is  gener- 
ally illustrative  of  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  town  from  the 
time  of  Charles  the  Second,  although  the  cases  adjudicated 
upon  are  to  a  great  extent  of  an  unimportant  character. 
The  few  extracts  given  which  bear  directly  on  the  history 
of  the  town  will  best  shew  the  nature  of  the  material  which 
has  been  derived  from  this  source. 

The  Chamberlains'  Accounts  do  not  commence  until 
after  the  period  of  the  Civil  War,  consequently  the  record 
of  many  interesting  circumstances  connected  with  this 
period  is  lost  to  us.  It  will,  however,  be  seen  by  the  en- 
tries which  have  been  extracted,  that  these  accounts  are 
a  considerable  aid  in  building  up  the  story  of  the  history 
of  Newbury  at  the  time  over  which  they  extend. 

It  has  not  been  thought  necessary  as  a  rule  to  group  the 
extracts  made  from  these  records  under  the  special  court 
or  department  to  which  they  belong,  but  as  they  appertain 
to  matters  of  great  interest,  it  has  been  thought  best  to 
arrange  them  in  their  proper  chronological  order,  together 
with  the  extracts  from  other  sources  which  throw  light 
upon  the  history  and  progress  of  the  town. 


242  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

INCIDENTS  CONNECTED  WITH  NEWBURY. 
The  Weavers'  Company,  1601. 

The  only  remaining  institution  which  at  the  present 
day  connects  Newbury  with  the  palmy  days  of  the  clothing 
trade  is  the  Weavers'  Company,  which  was  founded  in  the 
reign  of  Henry  VIII.,  and  incorporated  by  Royal  Charter 
in  the,  44th  year  of  Queen  Elizabeth  (1601),  under  the 
management  of  two  wardens  and  four  assistants.  The 
existing  members  of  the  Company  have  little,  if  any,  con- 
nection with  the  objects  of  its  foundation.  Their  property 
consists  of  the  "Weaver's  Arms,"  in  Cheap-street,  and  the 
adjoining  house,  devised  by  Dixon  and  Deale,  two  mem- 
bers of  the  fraternity.  The  income  from  this  charity  is 
expended  in  providing  an  annual  feast,  and  in  supplying 
certain  articles  of  clothing  for  the  members.  The  church- 
wardens of  Newbury  are  entitled  to  select  the  recipients 
of  one  moiety  of  the  rent  of  the  "  Weaver's  Arms,"  but  do 
not  appear  to  have  ever  interfered. 

The  eldest  son  of  a  freeman  of  the  Company  can  claim 
his  freedom  by  patriniony,  which  is  otherwise  obtained  by 
an  apprenticeship  of  seven  years  to  a  freeman. 

A  few  items  of  Corporate  insignia  are  still  possessed  by 
the  Company,  namely,  the  beadle's  silver-mounted  staff 
of  ofifice,  with  the  inscription  "  Robert  Layle,  Richard 
Canins,  Wardens,  1706  ;"  a  belt  with  the  Company's  arms 
well  executed  on  a  silver  shield,  worn  by  the  beadle  on 
state  occasions.  It  appears  to  have  been  customary  for 
every  new  member  to  provide  a  silver  spoon  on  his  ad- 
mittance ;  but  the  plate  thus  acquired  by  this  ancient 
body  has  disappeared. 

In  1792,  when  the  clothing  industry  was  rapidly  being 
extinguished  in  Newbury,  the  Weavers'  Company,  in  order, 
if  possible,  to  revive  the  manufacture,  issued  an  advertise- 
ment setting  forth  that  they  had  agreed  to  disannul  their 
powers  and  right  of  settling  the  price  which  any  person 
in  the  trade  should  give  for  making  any  kind  of  goods, 
and  giving  free  liberty  for  strangers  to  come  into  the 
town  and  to  manufacture  silks,  muslins,  cottons,  linen, 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  243 

worsted,  &c.,  without  any  interference  from  the  Company 
of  Weavers.  The  announcement  concludes  with  the  fol- 
lowing paragraph : — 

"  Newbury  is  a  town  well  supplied  with  water,  and  an  extra- 
ordinary good  market  to  supply  its  inhabitants  with  every  ac- 
commodation that  can  make  Ufe  comfortable,  and  it  is  well 
situated  to  carry  on  an  extensive  trade,  having  an  easy  convey- 
ance to  and  from  London  by  the  River  Kennet. 

Thomas  Hobson,),,,    ,       „ 
^  Wardens." 
Samuel  Higgs,    ) 

King  James  I.  and  his  Queen  at  Newbury,  1603. 

King  James  I.  and  his  queen,  Anne  of  Denmark,  were 
at  Newbury  in  1603,  and  in  a  letter  from  the  unfortunate 
Arabella  Stuart,  the  king's  cousin,  and  the  early  love  and 
stolen  bride  of  the  2nd  Duke  of  Somerset,  to  her  uncle 
the  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  she  thus  refers  to  the  queen  while 
at  Newbury : — 

"  If  ever  thear  wear  such  a  vertu  as  curtesy  at  the  Court,  I 
marvell  what  has  become  of  it,  for  I  protest  I  see  little  or  none 
of  it,  but  in  the  Queene,  who,  ever  since  her  coming  to  Newbury, 
hathe  spoken  to  the  people  as  she  passeth,  and  receiveith  theyr 
prayers  wt.  thanckes,  and  thankful  countenance,  barefaced,  to  the 
great  contentment  of  natif  and  foreign  people." 

St.  Mary's  Charity,  1604,  &c. 

This  Charity  appears  to  be  an  ancient  foundation,  and 
we  find  from  the  recitals  of  a  deed  bearing  date  2  James  I. 
that  it  was  then  in  existence  and  under  the  control  of  the 
Corporation  of  Newbury. 

It  consists  of  an  almshouse,  divided  into  six  apartments 
for  the  reception  of  as  many  poor  women,  situate  in 
St.  Mary's  Hill,  and  certain  lands,  houses,  and  rent-charges 
for  the  maintenance  of  the  same. 

The  revenue  of  this  Charity  is  as  follows,  namely,  about 
;^i8s  from  land  and  houses  in  Newbury,  and  about  £\<) 
annually  from  dividends  on  £6\o  consols. 

R  2 


244  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

The  Plague,  1604. 

Between  the  years  1602-5  the  plague,  or,  as  it  was  then 
called,  the  pest,  made  great  ravages  in  England,  and  pre- 
vailed at  Newbury,  Thatcham,  and  other  places  in  the 
neighbourhood.  The  mortality  consequently  was  much 
increased  in  Newbury,  and  in  the  parish  register  for  1604 
the  word  pest  is  written  in  the  margin  as  applying  to  one 
or  more  burials  of  persons  who  died  from  this  deadly 
pestilence.  It  was  a  common  practice  at  this  time  to 
bury  persons  who  died  of  the  pest  or  plague  in  lone  or 
unfrequented  spots,  to  prevent  contagion,  which  may  in 
some  measure  account  for  human  remains  being  so  fre- 
quently found  in  such  places. 

The  Earl  of  Salisbury  at  Newbury,  1612. 

The  eminent  Lord  Treasurer,  Sir  Robert  Cecil,  created 
Viscount  Cranbourne  and  Earl  of  Salisbury,  passed  through 
Newbury  on  his  last  journey  to  Bath  to  try  the  waters  in 
1612.  His  chaplain,  Bowles,  mentions  in  a  letter  to  James 
Montague,  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells,  that  on  April  30 
the  Earl  arrived  at  Newbury,  "  being  very  weary,  faint,  and 
ill."  On  the  following  day.  May  i,  he  "left  for  Marl- 
borough, and  on  the  23rd  reached  that  town  on  his  return 
journey.  He  was  now  sinking  fast,  and  died  on  Sunday, 
May  24,  at  the  Monastery  of  St.  Margaret's  in  Marl- 
borough, then  occupied  by  Mr.  Daniel — an  interesting  old 
house,  which  is  still  standing. 

After  being  embalmed,  the  Earl's  body  was  conveyed  to 
his  seat  at  Hatfield,  Herts,  where  it  was  interred  with  a 
national  demonstration  of  respect. 

Queen  Anne  of  Denmark  again  at  Newbury, 

1613. 

Queen  Anne  of  Denmark  was  also  at  Newbury  in  1613, 
while  on  a  progress  from  Oatlands  to  Lord  Hertford's  at 
Marlborough  ;  on  September  2  halting  at  Burghfield,  and 
the  next  day  at  Aldermaston   House ;    on  the  4th   her 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  245 

Majesty  dined  with  Sir  Nicholas  Fuller  at  Chamberhouse 
Castle,  Crookham,  in  the  parish  of  Thatcham,  then  a  noble 
moated  and  embattled  house,  surrounded  with  a  park  of 
about  350  acres.  The  same  night  she  slept  at  Mr.  Dol- 
man's, at  Shaw,  where  the  Court  remained  over  Sunday. 
On  the  Monday  following  the  Queen  dined  at  Mr.  Choke's 
at  Avington,  and  thence  proceeded  to  Sir  Francis  Pop- 
ham's  at  Littlecote,  where  she  stayed  two  days,  and  then 
left  for  Marlborough. 

Cross  and  other  Charities,  1613-20,  &c. 

Margaret  Cross,  by  deed  dated  August  9,  161 3,  gave  to 
Thomas  Coldwell,  and  six  others,  the  sum  of  ;^5o,  upon 
trust,  that  the  same  might  be  lent  to  little  tradespeople, 
in  sums  not  exceeding  ;^io  each,  at  five  per  cent,  interest 
per  annum ;  and  that  the  trustees  should  dispose  of  the 
income  thencefrom  arising  as  follows : — 30J.  to  the  poor 
of  Newbury,  in  money,  bread,  or  clothing ;  \os.  for  a 
sermon  to  be  preached  in  the  parish  church  on  St.  Mar- 
garet's Day ;  and  the  remaining  \os.  to  be  spent  by  the 
trustees  for  a  drinking. 

Peter  Wybrowe,  by  deed  dated  January  6,  1620,  gave 
the  sum  of  ;£'30  to  the  same  trustees  for  the  like  purpose  ; 
and  directed  that  the  income  should  likewise  be  disposed 
of  in  money,  clothing,  or  otherwise,  at  their  discretion. 

By  an  order  of  the  Mayor,  Sec,  of  Newbury,  dated 
August  15,  1699,  it  was  directed  that  the  trustees  of  Mar- 
garet Cross's  money  should  be  intrusted  with  the  manage- 
ment of  the  ;^20  given  by  Mr.  Stampe,  also  of  the  ;^20 
given  by  William  Tolfrey,  and  of  the  £\o  given  by 
Elizabeth  Blackbery. 

The  Wooden  Bridge  over  the  Kennet,  1623. 

In  the  year  1623,  the  ancient  wooden  bridge  which 
spanned  the  river  Kennet,  and  which  appears  from  a 
Survey  of  the  manor  in  the  reign  of  James  I.  to  have  had 
shops  on  either  side  of  it,  fell  into  the  river,  to  the  great 
consternation  and  inconvenience  of  the  inhabitants.    The 


246  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

occurrence  is  fully  described  in  the  following  letter,  which 
is  in  the  Bodleian  Library ",  and  without  endorsement ; 
but  that  diligent  antiquary,  Anthony  Wood,  has  added  a 
MS.  note  to  the  effect  that  it  was  addressed 

"  To  Thos.  Bond,  Esq.,  at  his  lodging  in  Durham  house,  in  the 
Strand,  neare  London.     (Of  Ogbourne  in  Wilts  ^)." 

"Sir, — Wee  have  thought  good  to  lett  you  vnderstand,  how 
that  vpon  Sundaye,  beinge  the  v""  daye  of  ffebruarie  last,  a  greate 
parte  of  our  Towne  bridge  beinge  about  30  foote  in  length  &  20 
foote  in  bredth  fell  downe  into  the  river  so  that  no  carts  can 
passe  over  yt,  to  the  greate  hinderau'ce  of  our  Towne,  specially 
vpon  y"  market  dayes,  it  beinge  a  bridge  in  y*  middle  of  the 
Towne,  as  you  knowe,  whereby  only,  and  by  no  other  waye,  one 
parte  of  the  Towne  can  come  to  thother,  &  the  country  cominge 
in  at  the  West  and  North  endes  of  the  Towne  with  carts  can 
come  no  other  waye  to  the  markett  vnlesse  they  goe  a  myle 
about;  And  it  was  the  greate  blessinge  of  God  that  it  fell  not 
either  as  people  were  goinge  to  or  cominge  from  churche,  which 
yf  it  had,  it  had  cost  many  a  man's  life,  and  yet  it  fell  shortly 
after  dinner,  ffor  the  repayringe  of  this  bridge  wee  haue  vsed 
tyme  out  minde  of  man  to  take  trees  as  occasion  hath  bin  out  of 
the  Wash  now  his  highnes  wast  parcell  of  the  manor  of  Newbery, 
which  was  heretofore  well  stored,  but  now  there  is  not,  neither 
hath  bin  of  late,  scarce  one  Tree  seruiceable  for  that  vse,  so  that 
wee  shalbe  putt  to  40  or  50'  chardge  in  repayringe  of  yt,  to  our 
greate  hinderau'ce,  wee  havinge  many  poore  people  amongst  vs  to 
relieve,  in  these  harde  tymes,  when  as  clothinge,  the  chiefe  keye 
of  tradinge  in  our  towne  for  reliefe  of  the  poore,  is  so  much 
decayed.  Whereof  wee  heartely  intreate  your  considerac'on,  & 
yf  you  shall  thinke  it  fitt  to  acquaynt  some  of  his  hignes  Counsell 
with  this  accident  that  is  befallen  vs,  humbly  intreatinge  theyr 
honors  to  take  Considerac'on  of  it,  as  they  in  theyr  wisedomes 
shall  thinke  fitt.  And  so  wee  take  our  leaves,  cravinge  pardon 
for  beinge  so  troublesome  to  you  &  rest 

"  Your  very  lovinge  freinds, 
"  Newbery, 
"  March  i,  1623. 

«  Tanner  MS.  314,  fo.  214,  Bodl.  Lib. 

"•  Probably   Clerk-  of  the  Council  to  the  Prince  of  Wales,  afterwards 
Charles  I. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  247 

"  John  Barksdale,  ivnior.  Richard  Waller,  Mayor. 

John  Hunte.  Jo.  Barksdale. 

John  Hooghton.  William  Howes. 

Edward  Longman.  Gabriell  Cox,  the  younger. 

Richard  Avery.  Roger  Lynche. 

Hugh  Hawkins.  William  Linche. 

Wylliam  Hunte.  Thomas  Gyles." 
William  Wilson. 


Kendrick's  Charity,  1624. 

This  Charity  comprises  the  "  School "  Charity,  the 
"  Morning  Prayer  "  Charity,  and  the  "  Loan  Fund  "  Charity, 
all  of  which  were  endowed  with  funds  bequeathed  for 
charitable  purposes  by  the  will  of  John  Kendrick,  dated 
December  29,  1624. 

The  approximate  income  of  this  Charity  is  ;^28o,  de- 
rived from  real  property. 

The  Kendrick  School  Charity  and  Kendrick's  Loan 
Charity  are  now  administered  in  accordance  with  a  scheme 
for  the  management  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Grammar  School, 
dated  February  14,  1883. 

The  revenue  of  the  Morning  Prayer  Charity  is  derived 
from  freehold  land,  part  of  Wash  Farm,  in  the  parish  of 
Newbury,  and  ;^500  Consols,  the  net  proceeds  being  paid 
to  the  Rector  of  Newbury,  as  directed  by  the  will  of  the 
founder,  "  for  the  maintenance  of  Divine  Service  in  the 
Parish  Church  of  Newbury,  to  be  said  every  morning  of 
the  week  by  the  parson  or  his  curate  at  six  o'clock." 

The  prayers  are  now  said  in  the  church  at  nine  o'clock 
instead  of  six  o'clock. 

Dixon  and  Deale's  Charities,  1624,  &c, 

Richard  Dixon,  by  Will,  dated  April  9,  1624,  devised 
to  certain  trustees  therein  named  (being  members  of  the 
Weavers'  Company),  a  messuage  situate  at  Newbury^  on 
the  west  side  of  Cheap-street,  a  publichouse  called  the 
"  Weaver's  Arms,"  upon  trust,  to  pay,  during  the  life  of  his 
brother  John,  the  sum  of  6s.  8d.  per  annum  to  the  Rector, 


248  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

for  preaching  a  sermon  upon  the  day  on  which  the  weavers 
kept  their  feast,  and  the  further  sum  of  6j.  %d.  towards  the 
said  feast ;  and,  after  the  decease  of  his  brother,  upon 
trust,  to  bestow  one  moiety  of  the  rent  of  the  said  messuage 
towards  the  relief  of  poor  weavers  or  weavers'  widows,  to 
be  paid  to  them  half-yearly,  and  to  apply  the  remaining 
moiety  to  the  relief  of  such  poor  aged  people  of  Newbury, 
as  his  said  trustees,  during  their  lives,  and,  after  their  de- 
cease, the  parson  and  the  churchwardens  of  Newbury, 
should  think  most  fit  to  receive  the  same. 

About  the  same  time  William  Deale,  by  Will,  gave  a 
messuage  in  Cheap-street,  adjoining  the  above,  to  the 
Weavers'  Company  of  Newbury,  aiad  their  successors  for 
ever,  upon  trust,  to  supply  poor  weavers,  yearly,  with  a 
gown  each  and  4J.  in  money. 

The  churchwardens  who,  by  Dixon's  Will,  are  entitled 
to  select  the  recipients  of  one  moiety  of  the  rent  of  the 
"  Weaver's  Arms,"  do  not  appear  ever  to  have  exercised 
this  right.  But  there  is  no  doubt  that  they  could  find 
some  more  useful  method  of  disposing  of  the  income  than 
in  providing  a  feast  for  the  members  of  the  Company, 
6s.  8d.  only  being  allowed  for  that  purpose  by  the  will. 
For  many  years  the  Rector  also  does  not  appear  to  have 
claimed  his  payment  of  6s.  8d.,  nor  was  the  sermon 
preached,  but  both  conditions  are  now  regularly  fulfilled. 

The  Subsidy  Roll,  1629. 

Berks,  Villa  de  Newbury  and  Hund. 

DE  Faircross'. 

Persons  chargeable  to  the  payment  of  the  subsidies 
granted  by  parliament  3  and  4  Car.  I.  Signed  by  Sir 
Francis  Knollys  and  Thos.  Vachell,  Commissioners.  John  Headd 
of  Beedon,  Jli^h  Collector.     25  April,  1629. 

Fair  Cross  Hund.,  Newbury  town. 

Lands.  Goods. 

Thos.  Giles,  gen.  .  .  .  jg^ 

Gabriel  Coxe,  gen.         .  .  ,  ^^3 

«  Subsidy  Roll,  Berks,  /jV.  Pub.  Rec.  Off. 


Nnvbury  m  the  Seventeei 

ith  Century. 

249 

Lands. 

Goods. 

William  House,  gen. 

£5 

Mrs.  Sara  Fullar 

6 

Mrs.  Agnes  Weston 

S 

Eliz.  Goddard    . 

2 

Dorothie  Mason 

I 

John  Barkesdale,  gen.    . 

2 

Wm.  Wilson 

2 

Gilbert  Johnson,  elk.     . 

2 

Stephen  Sparrowe 

I 

Alex.  Gilman     . 

I 

Edw.  Weeks      . 

1 

Thos.  Chokk,  gen. 

I 

Wm.  Walridge    . 

2 

Thos.  Merryman 

I 

Robt.  Daunce    . 

I 

Thos.  Morris,  esq. 

5 

Edw.  Wilier 

£3 

Thos.  Milton      . 

I 

Thos.  Millington,  gen.  . 

3 

Geo.  Jeninges    . 

I 

Wm.  Lynch 

I 

Widow  Tayler    . 

2 

Ric.  Bushnell     . 

I 

Widow  CoUyns  . 

I 

Bryant  Maskell . 

3 

Robt.  Bacon 

3 

Wm.  Pearce 

3 

Geo.  Flower 

•    I 

Wm.  Nashe 

3 

John  Cooke,  Haberdasher 

4 

Widow  Sanderson 

I 

Timothy  Averie 

3 

Jone  Saunders,  widow    . 

2 

Wm.  Goddin,  jun. 

3 

Thos.  Graye       .            .             .             . 

I 

Edw.  Longman,  gen. 

4 

Ric.  Folwell 

I 

Thos.  Hellier     .             .             .            . 

1 

Griffin  Foster     . 

I 

Wm.  Weston      .             .             .             . 

2 

2SO 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 


Lands. 

I 


Ric.  Laurance    . 
John  Birche 
Thos.  Dooe 
Wm.  Goddin,  sen. 
Benjamin  Houghton 
Wm.  Bew 
Nic.  Nashe 
"Wm.  Eastgate 
Ric.  Cooke 
Ric.  Fanner 
Joseph  Reader 
John  Barkesdale,  esq. 
Ric.  Averie 
John  Edmonds 
John  Rede 
Bryant  Lynche 
Ric.  Farant 
Ric.  Gardiner,  j 
Leonard  Pratt 
John  Rider 
Wm.  Grove 
Sam.  Iremonger,  gen. 
John  Deane 
Hen.  Houghton 
Thos.  White 
Thos.  Houghton,  gen. 
Martin  Brookes 
Widow  Hird 

John of  West  Mills 

Simon  Goddard 
Thos.  Taylor      . 
Ric.  Willis,  gen. 
Hugh  Hawkins,  gen, 
John  Houghton 

Wm.  H 

John 

Assessment  45.  a  pound  on  land. 
2s.  Sd.  „     „     goods, 


Goods. 

£\ 
3 


4 
4 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  251 

The  Grammar  School,  1634,  &c. 

From  the  date  of  the  expiring  of  the  lease  of  the  pro- 
perty belonging  to  the  Hospital,  in  161 5,  until  the  year 
1686,  little  information  can  be  obtained  as  to  the  Hospital 
and  the  Grammar  School,  the  Corporation  books  being 
either  seized  by  Cromwell's  Commissioners,  during  the 
Interregnum,  or  lost.  But  we  have  notice  from  various 
sources  of  some  of  the  Masters  of  the  School. 

The  famous  Puritan  divine,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Parker, 
in  whose  honour  the  town  of  Newbury,  in  New  England, 
was  so  called,  taught  for  some  time  previous  to  the  year 
1634  "the  free  school  in  Newberry;"  and  John  Wood- 
bridge,  brother  of  Benjamin,  appointed  Rector  of  New- 
bury by  the  Parliament  during  the  Great  Rebellion,  is 
mentioned  by  Dr.  Calamy  as  being  "cast  out  of  the 
school  at  Newbury,  by  the  Bartholomew-Act"  of  1662.  The 
same  authority  also  states  that  the  Rev.  Samuel  Sprint,  of 
Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  son  of  the  author  of  Cassander 
Anglicanus,  was  chosen  Master  of  the  Free  School  at  New- 
bury, on  leaving  the  University.  He  is  said  to  have  con- 
tinued at  Newbury  several  years,  until  he  was  appointed 
to  the  living  of  Tedworth,  and  is  described  as  being  an 
intimate  friend  of  Mr.  Woodbridge's,  the  Rector,  and  "  of 
the  same  pacific,  healing,  catholic  spirit,  a  complete  scholar, 
a  very  useful  preacher,  and  one  of  strict  piety." 

From  an  entry  in  the  Corporation  books  it  appears  that 
on  October  23,  1686,  Richard  Simeon,  clerk,  surrendered 
up  his  right  as  Master  of  the  Free  Grammar  School  at 
Newbury,  and  Daniel  Bevan,  clerk,  was  elected  and  chosen 
by  the  Corporation  to  be  Master  of  the  School,  who  exe- 
cuted an  agreement  {inter  alia)  to  teach  gratis  six  poor 
children  of  the  borough  of  Newbury,  to  be  sent  to  him  by 
the  Churchwardens  and  others,  the  Overseers  of  the  poor 
of  Newbury  for  the  time  being,  such  as  shall  be  first  ap- 
proved of  by  the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  chief  Bur- 
gesses of  the  said  borough  or  the  major  part  of  them. 

In  1692,  on  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Bevan,  the  Rev. 
Benjamin  Tassell,   M.A.,  of  Goring,  Oxon,  was  elected 


252  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Schoolmaster  of  the  Free  Grammar  School,  and  entered 
into  a  similar  agreement. 

Presentments  of  the  Court  Leet  and 
Court  Baron  Defaulters,  1640. 

In  the  Manor  Records  for  this  year  the  seventeen  jurors 
and  homage  present  a  large  number  of  the  resiants  within 
the  precincts  of  the  manor  as  making  default  in  not  ap- 
pearing at  the  "  View  of  Frank  Pledge,"  and  fined  each  of 
the  absentees  two  pence.  The  jury  also  presented  that  the 
Dean  and  Canons  of  Windsor,  who  were  owners  of  property 
at  Sandleford  within  the  borough,  the  Wardens,  Fellows, 
and  Scholars  of  Winchester  College,  Humphrey  Dolman, 
Esq. J  John  Winchcombe,  Esq.,  Francis  Barkesdale,  Esq., 
and  other  free  suitors  within  the  manor,  had  not  appeared 
at  the  Court  Baron,  therefore  each  of  them  was  amerced 
four  pence.  They  likewise  presented  several  Innholders 
and  Victuallers  within  the  Borough  as  having  since  the 
last  Leet  broken  the  Assize  of  Ale  and  Beer,  for  which 
offence  they  were  respectively  amerced  four  pence.  In  the 
same  year  we  have  r — 

"  Item  they  present  Mr.  Dunch,  Esq.,  and  William  Howes, 
gent,  for  that  they  have  expressively  done  spoyle  to  the  Marsh 
Comon  by  riding  their  horses  there,  and  therefore  either  of  them 
are  amerced  12^/.  And  wee  order  that  if  they  shall  hereafter 
offend  againe  in  that  kinde  either  of  them  shall  forfeite  los. 

"  Item  they  present  George  Flower,  gent,  Briant  Reives,  Edward 
"Waker,  Daniel  Gimlett,  William  Shakshafte,  William  Holloway, 
Edward  Brownjohn,  Thomas  Baylie,  gent,  Paule  Wheeler,  Widdow 
Martin,  Widdow  Vokins,  John  Snow,  sen.,  Henry  Gerle,  Thomas 
Hill,  Widdow  Rodway,  Thos.  Stratton,  William  Vertue,  Widdow 
Love,  Bryant  Mascoll,  William  Weston,  Samuel  Bjoadhead, 
John  Milton,  and  John  Hunt,  clothier,  for  that  they  refuse  to  pay 
the  Bellman's  wages,  and  therefore  doe  finde  the  payne  of  every 
of  them      ......  .         .         ,         ,     <s. 

"  Item  they  present  Richard  Mayle  of  Hungerford  and  William 
Stroud  of  Wantage  for  exposing  unwholesome  beef  and  mutton 
to  sale  in  the  market  of  Newbury,  and  therefore  we  amerce  either 
of  them         .         .         .         .         .         .         ,         .     los.  a,  piece 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  253 

"  Item  they  present  Thomas of  Reading,  John  Knight 

of  Newbury,  and  Thomas  Addams  for  exposing  unwholesome  salt 
ffish  to  sale,  and  therefore  every  of  them  are  amerced  .         .     5^. 

"  Item  they  present  James  Addams,  Leonard  Butcher  of  Kim- 
bury,  and  Richard  Pibworth  of  Benham  for  that  they  exposed 
trowts  to  sale  out  of  season,  and  therefore  every  of  them  are 
amerced        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         1        .     2s.  (>d. 

"Item  they  present  Edward  Greene,  Gardner,  John  Dibley, 
Luke  Gubbard,  and  John  Feild  that  they  and  every  of  them 
hath  comitted  a  severall  bloodshedd,  and  that  therefore  every 
of  them  hath  forfeited 2>^.  ^d. 

"Item  they  order  that  John  Cooke,  gent,  Richard  Sadler, 
Alice  Smith,  widd.,  John  Greene,  and  the  occupiers  of  the  landes 
of  John  Guillum  shall  skower  the  Watercourse  called  Old  Streame 
in  Northcrofte,  makeing  it  tenn  foote  wide  before  St.  Thomas's 
Day  next,  or  els  every  of  them  shall  forfeite        .         .         .     5//. 

"  Item  they  order  that  Thomas  Stockwell,  and  the  Hayward 
for  the  ffeildes  for  the  yeare  being  shall  drive  the  said  fFeildes  three 
times  betwixt  Micheltyde  and  Our  Lady  Day,  and  those  sheep 
that  are  found  to  be  agistmts  ^  and  not  Comons  found  for  them 
(that  is  to  say  three  sheepe  for  an  acre  according  to  the  order), 
they  shall  forfeite  ffoure  pence  for  every  sheepe  so  often  as  they 
shall  so  offend.  And  wee  further  order  that  William  Bew  and 
William  Barnard  shall  have  the  oversight  thereof  to  see  that  it 
bee  well  and  duly  performed  by  them.  And  that  every  of  them 
shall  have  the  money  so  gotten  equally  divided  amongst  them  for 
their  paines." 

The  borough  officers  elected  at  this  Court  vi^ere  as 
follows : — 

Constables  Elected. 


Shuffe  Pinfall, 
Joseph  Lawrence, 


jjur.s 


Constables  in  Election. 
John  Seely, 
Samuel  Smith. 

'  Agistments  signifies   cattle  belonging  to  strangers  taken  in  to  feed  on 
a  common,  &c.,  and  to  take  money  for  the  same. 
»  jfuratus,  sworn. 


254  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Bayleifes  Elected. 
William  Cotman, 
David  Hoell. 
Bayleifes  in  Election. 
Nicholas  Clowds, 
John  Nightingale,  Jur. 

TlTHINGMEN. 

ffor  the  East  side  of  Bartholomew  streete,  Jeronomy  Clarke,  Jur. 
fFor  the  West  side  of  Bartholomew  streete,  Henry  Linch,  Jur. 
ffor  the  East  side  of  Cheape  streete,  James  Hawkins,  jur. 
ffor  the  West  side  of  Cheape  streete,  Thomas  Church,  Jur. 
ffor  the  East  side  of  Northbrooke  streete,  Thomas  Peirce,  Jur. 
ffor  the  West  side  of  Northbrooke  streete,  William  Iremonger, 

Jur. 
Bread  and  Butter  Weighers  and  Ale  f  Thomas  Griffin,  | 

Tasters (Edward  Blandy, I •* 

r^    ,        -,  rr-  1  f  John  Nightingale,  scn. ) 

fflesh  and  ffish  tasters      .         .         ■  IL-m-       au  ^  fJ"'^- 

'  WiUiam  Shufife,  sen.     ) 

Overseers  for  the  Marsh         .         .  i     .  ,      ,  ^  ,      ^' 

( Richard  Johnson. 

Overseers  for  the  ditch  in  North-     ( Thomas  Paradise, 

brooke  streete    ....   (Humphry  Buttris. 

Hayward  for  the  ffeilds  .         .     Thomas  Page,  Jur. 

Hayward  for  the  Marsh  and  Market-)  „ 

,  Tobias  Allen,  Jur. 

T)1^C6        >  •  ■  .  ,     ' 

Presentments  at  the  Court  Leet,  1641. 

At  the  next  Court  Leet  the  jury  say : — 

"  Wee  present  Thomas  Manning  for  suffring  his  hoggs  to  digge 
up  and  spoile  the  Northcroft,  being  a  free  Common  to  the  In- 
habitants, and  therefore  we  amerce  him  .         .  .  i]s.  \']d. 

"  And  wee  order  that  if  he  suffer  his  hoggs  at  any  time  to  doe 
soe  againe  he  shall  forfeit       .         .         .         .         .         .         xj." 

Several  persons  were  also  fined  for  selling  unwholesome 
meat,  and  for  exposing  fish  for  sale  out  of  season. 

Presentments  at  the  Court  Leet,  1643. 

It  seems  scarcely  possible  to  realise  in  these  quiet-going 
times  that  in  the  very  heat  of  the  Civil  War,  and  within 
a  few  days  after  the  fiercely  contested  battle  on  the  Wash, 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  255 

and  when  all  within  the  old  town  was  at  the  disposal  of  an 
excited  soldiery,  the  Court  Leet  jury  gravely  sat  in  their 
Council  Chamber,  and  administered  justice  in  the  midst  of 
violence,  and  the  law  was  still  reverenced  by  the  partisans 
on  either  side. 

On  October  9,  1643,  the  Court  met  as  usual  at  the 
Guildhall,  in  the  very  room  where  a  short  time  before  the 
bodies  of  Falkland,  Sunderland,  Carnarvon,  and  many 
another  gallant  supporter  of  King  Charles  had  been  laid 
out  so  that  they  might  be  recognised  by  friends,  and  then 
borne  away  to  burial.  It  may  be  of  interest  in  connection 
with  the  personal  history  of  old  Newbury  families  if  some 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  Court  at  this  memorable  era  are 
given  in  extenso,  the  presentments  of  the  jury  furnishing 
us  with  the  names  of  many  of  the  chief  residents  in  the 
town  at  that  time  : — 

"  Manerium  de  Newberie  in  Com.  Berk.  Visus  Franci  Pleg. 
Domini  Regis  cum  Curia  Baron  Maior  Aldermen  et  Burgi  de 
Newberie  prsedicti  Domino  eiusdem  Manerii  ibidem  tentus  in 
Guilhalda  eiusdem  Burgi  nono  die  Octobris ;  Anno  regni  Domini 
nostri  Caroli  Dei  gratia  Anglie  Scotie  Frauncie  et  Hibernie 
Regis,  fidei  Defensor  etc.  Decimo  nono  Coram  Johanne  Barks- 
dale,  gen.  Seneschal  ibidem  praedicto  1643. 

JUR.  ET  HOMAG.  JUR. 

Richard  Allen,  gen.  Thorn.  Barksdale. 

Amos  Averie.  John  Brownjohn. 

John  Giles.  William  Barnard. 

Richard  Holwell.  Henry  Linch. 

William  Waller.  William  Tubb. 

Sam.  Smith.  George  White. 

Robt.  Wilson.  Christ.  Bachiler. 

Robt.  Cooke.  George  Cowslade. 

"Presentments  and  Orders  made  by  the  same  Jury  as  fol- 
loweth  (vizt.)." 

"  Imprimis  wee  present  George  Garden,  Walter  Wooder,  Robt. 
Wilkins,  Benjamin  Godwyn,  John  Edsall,  John  Hedges,  jun., 
Henry  Turner,  Shuif  Pinfall,  Richard  Cooke,  John  Cooke,  Richard 
Gough,  Wm.  Hunt,  John  Greenaway,  sen,  et  jun.,  Adrian  Ladd, 


256  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Leonard  Heath,  Bryant  Webb,  Bartholomew  ffortie,  John  Big- 
wood,    John   Charlock,    Daniel   Gimlett,    George   Barker,  John 
Wallin,    Richard    Chapman,    Thomas   White,    Leonard    Butler, 
George  Hobbs,  John  Chalke,  Thom.  WilHs,  William  Stiles,  James 
Bond,  Nicholas  Skinner,  William  ffeilde,  Edw.  Brownjohn,  John 
Joseph  Michell,  William  Wrenn,  Richard  Ely,  Thomas  Marsh, 
Edward  Browne,  Levy  Smith,  Nathaniell  Collins,  Briant  Mascell, 
Mr.  Pearse,  James  Purdy,   George  Mosse,  Robert  Armsteede, 
William  fFoster,  Thomas  Pearse,  Stephen  Fisher,  James  ffrancklin, 
John  Watts,  Richard  Lardner,  Robt.  flfaithful,  John  Hunt,  Robert 
Gubbard,  John  Tyler,  John  Randall,  William  Hatt,  sen.  et  jun., 
fifulke  Harbert,  Mr.  Richard  Laurence,  Joseph  Sealy,  William 
Bew,  Thomas  fforster,  Humfry  Sealy,  Christopher  Twisse,  John 
Brice,  John  Butler,  John  Hawkins,  John  Jemmett,  Giles  Goddard, 
John  ffrancklin,  John  Basford,  Edward  Caton,  John  Griffett,  Tho. 
Hampton,  Adam  Read,  William  Grove,  John  Englefield,  William 
Morrell,   Stephen    Morrell,   ffrancis    Norris,   Joseph    Laurence, 
Abraham   Cox,    Bawnfeilde,  Jasper  Baker,  Raph  Bower,  John 
Walter,  Mr.  Timothy  Avery,  Thomas  Allen,  jun.,  Stephen  Camber, 
William  Millett,  Tho.  Wilson,  Thomas  Watts,  John  Armsteede, 
Richard  Goddard,  Tho.  Harris,  Clement  Mills,  Edward  Willett, 
sen.  et  jun.,  Walter  Gough,  Anthony  Smith,  Henry  Dickenson, 
James  Litle,  Walter  Skinny  Israel  Hatt,  James  Vertue,  Thomas 
Manning,  sen.  et  jun.,  Peter  Martyn,  John  Tranter,  Dennis  Po- 
cocke,    Richard   Feilde,  John    Cox,    Richard    Brice,    Benjiman 
Timberland,  Thomas  Hayes,  Thomas  Newman,  Thomas  Walter, 
Henry  Moris,  Richard  Adams,  Joseph  Hayes,  WilKam  Jackson, 
Thomas  Hidden,  Robert  Smith,  Richard  Mosdell,  Christopher 
Pratt,  Simon  Roach,  jun.,  Alexander  Gilman,  jun.,  Joseph  Gil- 
man,  John  Attfeild,   Humfrey  Sandie,   Michell  White,  Thomas 
Stedman,  Benjamin  Wilson,  William  Whittington,  Anthony  Martyn, 
Thomas  Hatt,  Thomas  Blanchard,  John  ffarrow,  William  ffarrow, 
Laurence  ffarrow,  Richard  Knight,  Edward  Arrowsmith,  Richard 
Huntmill,  Abraham  Hardinge,   Roger  Jackson,   Richard  Allin, 
William   Curtis,  Joseph  Wilson,  John  Bushell,  William  Pares, 
Edward  West,  William  Grove,  Wm.  Goldbourne,  John  Jennings, 
Hugh  Kittle,  Richard  Weston,  Ben.  Weston,  Chr.  Weston,  John 
Pearse,  Nicholas  Roberts,  John  Whiting,  John  Burch,  Richard 
Briskett,  William  ffortie,  Richard  James,  John  Hutchins,  Tho. 
Mayne,  Morris  Warren,  ffrancis  Cooper,  Thomas  Cooper,  John 
Blanchard,   Thomas    Woodnett,   Thomas   Vinson,    John    Raw- 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  257 

lins,  Abraham  Stockwell,  Briant  Linch,  Robert  Blunt,  Joseph 
Godwin,  John  Hedges,  Robert  Willis,  Nicholas  Shaw,  Mathew 
Hill,  Thomas  Tomson,  Nath.  Russell,  William  Aden,  jun., 
John  Browne,  Thomas  Plant,  jun.,  William  Shaw,  John  Clarke, 
Amos  Avery,  jun.,  Benjamin  ffoster,  Joseph  Nalder,  John 
Kerby,  John  Walter,  William  Mottlee,  Hugh  Baker,  Robert 
Baker,  Richard  Scallopp,  Thomas  Allen,  Richard  Adams,  Ed- 
ward Winslow,  John  Garland,  Jeffrey  Newe,  John  Clarke,  sen.  et 
jun.,  John  Child,  William  Smith,  Robert  Hasell,  Charles  Kidgell, 
WilUam  Kidgell,  Wm.  West,  Timothy  Kent,  Richard  Younge, 
Gabriel  Granger,  Rich.  Trassell,  John  Merriman,  William  Shelton, 
Valerius  Wimbolt,  Thomas  Taylor,  John  Collins,  Thomas  Ben- 
nett, John  Snow,  Henry  Girle,  Thomas  Puckmore,  Thomas  Hill, 
William  Burchall,  William  Waterman,  John  Edmands,  gent., 
George  flfeilde,  Richard  Smith,  Thomas  Cooper,  Rowland  Griffin, 
John  Rodway,  Thorn.  Halcupp,  Robert  ffrome,  Richard  Wallen, 
Jeronimo  Clark,  Leonard  Cox,  William  Nash,  Joseph  Poore, 
Raph  Simson,  Christopher  ffeild,  Thomas  Pinchard,  Raph 
Houghton,  John  ffoster,  Joseph  Crooke,  Robert  James,  Walter 
Wright,  Thomas  Linch,  William  Sadler,  Nicho.  Mason,  Chr. 
Salter,  George  Seymor,  Henry  James,  Thomas  Goldborne,  Rich. 
Smart,  William  Sadler,  jun.,  are  resiants  within  the  precinct  of 
the  Manno'  aforesaid,  and  hath  this  day  made  default  in  not  ap- 
pearinge  Ideo  quilibet  eorum  est  in  mi'a  [and  therefore  each  of 
them  is  in  misericordia,  i.e.  amerced]  ....  \]d. 
"  Item,  wee  present  the  Deanes  and  Cannons  of  Windsor,  the 
Wardens,  ffellows,  and  schollars  of  Winton,  Humfry  Dolman, 
Esq.,  Jo.  Winchcombe,  Esq.,  Tho.  Brickenden,  Esq.,  ffrancis 
Barksdale,  Esq.,  Gabriel  Cox,  gent.,  WilUam  Howes,  gent.,  the 
heirs  of  John  Hunt,  gent.,  Samuel  Iremonger,  gent.,  the  heirs  of 
Humfry  Taylor,  gent.,  Tho.  Holmes,  gent.,  John  Houghton,  gent., 
John  Watts,  dark,  the  ffeoffees  for  the  use  of  the  poore  of 
Thatcham,  Richard  Poore,  Robert  White,  Richard  Cooke,  John 
Cooke,  gent.,  Wm.  Riche,  Thomas  Osgood,  the  Mr.  and  War- 
dens of  the  Weavers,  John  Giles,  Henry  Norcroft,  the  heirs  of 
Nicholas  Fuller,  Esq.,  William  Webb,  the  heirs  of  Robert  Taylor, 
the  heirs  of  Henry  Roberts,  the  heirs  of  Richard  Ball,  ffra.  Dove, 
Martyn  Brooker,  the  heirs  of  Symm  Johnson,  Tho.  Martyn, 
ffrancis  Draycott,  James  Tull,  the  heirs  of  John  Avenill,  the  heirs 
of  Richard  Rowland,  the  heirs  of  Widdow  Joyce,  the  heirs  of 
Widdqw  ffroom,  the  heirs  of  Alexander  Yates,  the  heirs  of  Wilham 

S 


258  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Allen,  the  heirs  of  Thomas  Houghton,  and  William  Godwyn  are 
ffree  sutors  within  the  Manner  afores'',  and  have  this  day  made 
default  in  not  appearing  at  the  Court  Baron,  therefore  every  of 
them  is  amerced .         iiija'. 

"  Item,  wee  present  John  Hoare,  Susan  Linch,  widdow,  Shuff 
Pinfall,  Alice  Smith,  widd.,  Widdow  Weekes,  Richard  Edmands, 
John  Hedges,  Richard  Cooke,  ffrancis  Bushnell,  Edmund 
Knowles,  Jo.  Greenaway,  George  Calcott,  John  Sealy,  Richard 
Dorum,  William  Merriman,  Widdow  Attfield,  Widdow  Milton, 
Thos.  Bew,  Thos.  Nash,  John  Camber,  Edw.  Weston,  John  Lever, 
Thos.  ffeild,  John  Warren,  Chris.  Barnes,  Widdow  Greene,  Wil- 
liam Virgin,  "Valerius  Wimbolt,  Tho.  Carden,  Daniel  Wheeler, 
Thomas  Younge,  Widdow  Vokins,  Widdow  Merriman,  and  Paul 
Wheeler,  being  Innholders  and  Victuallers  within  this  Borough, 
and  have  since  the  last  Court  broken  the  Assize  of  Ale  and  Beere, 
Therefore  every  of  them  is  by  us  amerced       .         .         .         y]d. 

"  Item,  wee  present  that  John  Edmands,  gent.,  Tho.  Martyn, 
gent,  and  Thomas  Manning,  being  Beere  brewers,  have  since  the 
last  O.  taken  excessive  gaines  in  selling  of  beere  and  Ale, 
Therefore  every  of  them  is  by  us  amerced  .         .         .       xs. 

"  Item,  wee  present  Widdow  Merriman,  Susan  Linch,  widdow, 
Alice  Smith,  widdow,  Edw.  Weekes,  Jo.  Greenaway,  John  Homes, 
Widdow  Greene,  John  Hedges,  jun.,  Tho.  Nash,  Richard  Ed- 
mands, and  Shufif  Pinfall  for  keeping  of  Comon  Estrays,  and 
have  since  the  last  Court  taken  excessive  gaine  in  hay  and  oats, 
therefore  every  of  them  is  by  us  amerced       .         .         .         iiij(/. 

"  Item,  wee  present  Simon  ffarant,  Clarke,  that  he  hath  not 
according  to  our  previous  order  taken  away  his  intrusion  before 
his  house  att  Bartholomews,  and  wee  find  his  paine  to  bee       xk. 

"And  wee  further  order  that  he  shall  take  it  away  before 
St.  Thomas's  Day  next,  or  else  to  forfeit  .         .         .     xh.  more. 

"  Item,  wee  present  James  May  for  stopping  the  free  and  full 
passage  of  the  water  in  the  ditch  in  Northbrooke  Streete,  There- 
fore we  do  amerce  him vjj.  vjtt. 

"  And  wee  further  order  for  every  offence  he  shall  comitt  in 
that  kind  he  shall  forfeite xj. 

"  Item,  wee  present  William  Virgin,  ffrancis  Cooper,  Thos. 
Woodnot,  Widdow  Greene,  William  Shelton,  Widdow  Wilson, 
Widdow   Kerbie,    Christopher   Salter,    and   Tho.    Hulings   and 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 


259 


Charles  Kistel,  for  not  pitchinge  of  their  doores,  therefore  every 


of  them  is  by  us  amerced 
*  * 


Constables  Elected. 


Jur.  Affer. 


John  Hore,)^^j. 
JohnSeelyJ-'     ' 


*  * 

Sam.  Smith, 
Wm.  Bernard, 

Constables  in  Election, 
Sam.  Smith, 
Tho.  Gearing. 


Bailiffs  Elected.  Bailiffs  in  Election. 

Richard  Shaw,    )  ^  Nichs.  Clouds, 

Hur. 
Wm.  Merryman, )  John  Nightingale. 

Tythingmen. 
Humfry  Seeley  for  the  East  side  of  Northbrooke  streete,  Jur. 
Simon  Roach  for  the  West  side  of  Northbrooke  streete,  Jur. 
Richard  Willis  for  the  East  side  of  Cheap  streete,  Jur. 
Sam.  Gardner  for  the  West  side  of  Cheap  streete,  Jur. 
John  Rodaway  for  the  East  side  of  Barthol.  streete,  Jur. 
John  Attefeild  for  the  West  side  of  Barthol.  streete,  Jur. 

(•  Peter  Goodale,  ] 


Bread  and  Butter  weighers 
fflesh  and  ffish  tasters 

Overseers  for  the  Marsh  . 

Overseers  for  the  ditch  in  North- 
brooke streete  . 
Hayward  for  the  ffeilds     . 
Hayward  for  the  Marsh,  North- 
croft  and  Markett  place 


(John  Nalder, 

/■William  Crabb, 
I  John  Willis, 
j  William  Waller, 

(Thos.  Pearse. 
I  Wm.  Waller, 
(Thos.  Pearse. 

John  Hunt,  Jur. 

Tobias  Allen,  Jur. 


The  Civil  Wars  and  the  Battles  of 
Newbury,  1643-44. 

The  chief  historical  interest  of  Newbury  arises  from  its 
having  been  the  scene  of  Jwo  important  battles  betw^een 
the  armies  of  Charles  I.  and  the  Parliament.  When  hostilities 
broke  out  the  chief  part  of  the  townspeople,  after  failing 
by  petitions  and  other  means  to  impress  upon  the  King 
and  his  advisers  the  impolicy  of  the  course  they  were  pur- 

s  2 


26o  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

suing  at  so  critical  a  juncture,  believing  that  it  was  pos- 
sible to  change  the  obnoxious  system  of  government  with- 
out disturbing  the  throne,  openly  declared  their  resolution 
to  stand  by  the  Parliament :  and  it  is  evident  that  their 
warmest  sympathies  were  on  that  side  throughout  the 
w^r  ^ 

A  very  detailed  history  of  the  two  battles  of  Newbury, 
and  the  concurrent  military  operations  which  were  carried 
on  in  this  neighbourhood  in  the  course  of  the  first  war, 
.has  already  been  presented  to  the  public'.  It  will  there- 
fore only  be  necessary  to  give  a  brief  sketch  of  this  event- 
ful period  in  our  local  annals. 

In  April,  1643,  and  on  the  very  day  on  which  the  peace 
propositions  expired,  which  required  the  King  to  abolish 
Episcopacy,  and  resign  the  command  of  the  militia  and 
other  executive  powers  to  Parliament,  Essex  advanced  to 
besiege  Reading.  His  army,  the  finest  that  had  yet  been 
seen,  consisted  of  16,000  foot  and  3,000  horse,  all  well 
armed,  and  abundantly  supplied  with  everything  necessary 
for  the  siege.  For  a  week  little  progress  was  made,  but 
then  a  cannon-shot  beat  down  a  brick  or  tile  on  the  head 
of  the  governor.  Sir  Arthur  Aston,  and  so  stunned  him 
"  that  he  was  disabled  from  executing  anything  in  his  own 
person,  and  his  senses  were  so  impaired,  that  he  was  even 
unfit  for  counsel  or  direction."  Colonel  Richard  Feilding 
succeeded  to  the  command  ;  the  King  tried  to  relieve  the 
place,  but  was  driven  back,  and  Feilding  surrendered  on 
honourable  terms.  He  was  tried  by  a  council  of  war 
for  the  surrender,  and  condemned  to  death,  which  sentence 
was  ultimately  commuted.     Still  he  never  recovered  the 

•■  As  an  illustration  of  the  state  of  public  feeling  in  this  neighbourhood, 
Dean  Bradley  mentioned,  when  the  Field  Club  visited  Westminster  in  1885, 
that  the  late  Mr.  Baverstock  Merriman,  of  Marlborough,  related  to  him  that 
one  of  his  ancestors  (the  Merrimans  were  an  old  Newbury  family)  had  it 
handed  down  to  him,  that  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  Newbury  was  a  hot- 
bed of  Presbyterianism,  while  the' villages  round  were  loyal  to  the  King's 
party ;  and  as  a  singular  survival  of  this  feeling,  long  after  the  war,  a  certain 
farmer,  when  he  had  taken  freely  at  the  market  ordinary,  would  ride  up  and 
down  Newbury  streets  crying,  "Come  out  you  *  •  «  •  •  Presbyterians,  come 
out!"  This  is  important  also  as  shewing  the  word  Presbyterian  in  con- 
nection with  the  Roundheads  at  the  time. 

'  "  The  First  and  Second  Battles  of  Newbury  and  the  Siege  of  Donnington 
Castle,  by  Walter  Money,  F.S.A."  1881— 1884,  (i  and  2  Ed.  :  Newbury: 
W.  J.  Blacket.) 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  261 

disgrace,  although  he  afterwards  served  as  a  volunteer 
with  great  spirit  and  courage  at  Newbury,  and  other 
engagements. 

Then  came  the  battles  of  Lansdown  and  Roundway 
Down,  Devizes,  the  surrender  of  Bristol  to  the  King,  and 
other  Royalist  successes,  which  induced  Charles  to  march 
to  Gloucester,  and  endeavour  to  make  his  conquest  com- 
plete by  besieging  this,  the  only  place  of  importance  in 
the  west,  which  was  in  the  hands  of  his  opponents. 

But  the  war-party  in  the  Parliament  were  in  no  way 
discouraged  in  their  belief  in  the  ultimate  triumph  of  their 
cause,  and  immense  exertions  were  made  to  relieve  the 
beleagured  garrison.  Essex  undertook  to  raise  the  siege, 
and  with  wonderful  alacrity  the  London  trained-bands 
volunteered  for  the  service.  An  army  of  10,000  men  left 
London  for  Gloucester  on  the  24th  of  August,  and  were 
joined  on  the  march  by  other  contingents,  which  raised 
Essex's  force  to  about  14,000  horse  and  foot,  including 
a  train  of  artillery. 

On  September  4,  when  the  siege  had  lasted  twenty- 
six  days,  the  thunder  of  the  Parliamentary  cannon 
from  the  Prestbury  hills  announced  to  the  besieged  that 
the  day  of  their  deliverance  had  arrived.  The  next  morn- 
ing the  King's  forces  engaged  in  the  siege,  which  had 
been  grossly  mismanaged  by  Prince  Rupert,  withdrew  in 
haste  and  in  some  confusion,  and  Essex  soon  after  entered 
and  re-victualled  the  city. 

Astonished  at  his  easy  triumph,  and  anxious  to  avoid 
an  attack  that  he  could  not  with  prudence  encounter,  the 
object  of  his  mission  too  being  fulfilled,  Essex  was  desirous 
to  return  to  London  with  all  speed.  With  a  view  to  circum- 
vent and  divide  the  King's  forces,  the  Parliamentary  gene- 
ral suddenly  departed  from  Gloucester,  and  made  dispo- 
sition of  his  troops  as  if  he  had  intended  to  proceed  north- 
ward to  Worcester,  but  cautiously  changing  his  route,  he 
marched  to  Tewkesbury ;  from  whence,  with  the  advan- 
tage of  a  dark  night,  he  reached  Cirencester,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  surprising  the  Royalist  garrison  there,  and  se- 
curing a  convoy  of  provisions  before  pursuit  commenced. 

Informed  of  the  flight  of  Essex,  the  Royalists  were  un- 


262  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

certain  which  road  he  had  taken,  but  Prince  Rupert  hear- 
ing of  the  surprise  of  Cirencester,  immediately  projected 
a  movement  to  intercept  the  retreat  of  their  antagonists, 
namely,  with  a  strong  body  of  cavalry  to  move  with 
celerity  across  country  and  overtake  Essex,  while  the 
King  with  the  infantry  pressed  on  by  forced  marches  to- 
wards Newbury,  to  which  place  he  had  been  informed  by 
Rupert,  Essex  was  on  his  way.  The  possession  of  the 
town  of  Newbury  was  the  object  chiefly  aimed  at  by  the 
Parliamentarians,  who  were  assured  of  a  good  reception  — 
in  fact  the  townspeople  so  soon  as  they  knew  of  Essex's 
route,  had  been  making  every  endeavour  to  furnish  ade- 
quate supplies  for  his  starving  troops.  With  a  force  of 
about  3,000  cavalry  Rupert  and  Colonel  Hurry  moved 
rapidly  by  way  of  Lechlade  and  Faringdon  in  pursuit  of 
Essex,  and  hearing  that  he  was  crossing  Aldbourne  Chase, 
came  suddenly  upon  his  rearguard  as  the  Parliamentary 
army  were  passing  through  the  deep  lanes  near  the  Lodge 
Farm,  or  Pearce's  Lodge,  about  two  miles  north-west  of 
the  village  of  Aldbourne.  With  dashing  energy  Rupert 
and  his  cavalry  bore  down  upon  their  unprepared  oppo- 
nents, who  were  moving  with  wide  intervals  "between 
their  divisions" — the  cavalry  being  nearly  a  mile  in  the 
rear  of  the  infantry.  Essex,  after  the  first  shock,  quickly 
rallied  his  men  on  the  higher  ground,  when  the  skir- 
mish became  fierce  and  general,  and  was  continued  with 
great  slaughter  till  the  main  body  of  the  Parliamenta- 
rians reached  Hungerford.  In  this  action  the  Marquis 
de  Vieuville,  a  volunteer  in  the  royal  army,  was  taken 
prisoner,  and  in  endeavouring  to  escape  was  slain — his 
last  words,  according  to  the  accounts  given  of  this  affair, 
were,  "Vous  voyez  un  grand  Marquis  mourant."  Con- 
siderable traces  of  this  fight  were  discovered  in  May, 
18 1 5,  when  the  workmen,  in  widening  the  turnpike-road 
from  Swindon  to  Hungerford,  exhumed  sixty  skeletons 
on  partially  removing  a  bank  at  Preston;  at  the  spot  where 
the  parishes  of  Aldbourne  and  Ramsbury  join,  and  a  few 
yards  from  the  turning  leading  to  the  latter  place. 

The  next  day  Essex  arrived  within  two  miles  of  New- 
bury, where  he  had  intended  to  quarter,  but  found  to  his 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Centurj'.  263 

dismay  that  the  road  to  London  was  barred  against  him. 
Prince  Rupert,  after  the  action  at  Aldbourne,  with  promp- 
titude and  soldierly  judgment  pushed  on  with  his  cavalry, 
and  arrived  in  Newbury  to  find  some  of  Essex's  advanced 
guard  engaged  in  arranging  billets  for  the  anxiously- 
expected  troops  of  the  Parliament.  With  scarcely  a 
moment's  halt  the  leading  squadron  of  Rupert's  troopers 
confronted  the  startled  Parliament  men,  who  were  un- 
aware of  the  near  approach  of  the  royal  cavalry,  but  who, 
perceiving  that  resistance  with  so  small  a  force  was  useless, 
beat  a  precipitate  retreat,  leaving  several  of  their  quarter- 
masters prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  Royalists.  The  King^ 
who  with  the  remainder  of  the  cavalry  and  the  infantry 
had  marched  by  way  of  Faringdon  and  Wantage,  soon  after 
arrived  in  Newbury,  and  no  time  was  lost  in  occupying  the 
town  and  its  approaches.  Meanwhile,  Essex  drew  his  army 
into  the  low-lying  fields  known  as  Crockham  Heath,  near 
Enborne ;  his  left  flank  having  the  protection  of  the  woods 
at  Hampstead,  and  of  the  Kennet  river,  and  his  right  rest- 
ing on  the  little  river  Enborne,  or,  as  it  is  termed  in  ancient 
documents,  the  Aleburn  river.  Here,  without  food  and 
without  shelter,  exposed  to  the  same  tempestuous  weather 
to  which  they  had  been  subjected  the  greater  part  of  their 
dreary  march  from  Gloucester,  the  Parliamentary  army 
"  all  that  night,"  says  an  eye  witness,  "  lay  in  the  fields 
impatient  of  the  sloth  of  darkness,  and  wishing  for  the 
morning's  light  to  exercise  their  valour  J." 

The  King's  force,  under  his  own  personal  command,  was 
about  10,000  men,  of  the  three  arms,  horse,  foot,  and 
artillery,  and  that  of  his  opponent,  Essex,  may  be  com- 
puted at  about  8,000  of  all  ranks. 

The  chief  Royalist  officers  were  Prince  Rupert,  Patrick 
Ruthven,  Earl  of  Brentford,  the  Lords  Wilmot,  Carnarvon, 
Lindsey,  Northampton,  Nottingham,  Cleveland,  Holland, 
Clare,  Bedford,  Belasyse,  Digby,  Jermyn,  Percy,  Somerset, 
Andover,  Chandos,  and  Molyneux.  Sir  John  Byron,  Sir 
Nicholas  Byron,  Sir  Charles  Lucas,  Sir  George  Lisle,  Sir 
Lewis  Kirke,  Sir  Henry  Slingsby,  Sir  William  Vavasour, 
'  Codrington's  "Life  of  Robert,  Earl  of  Essex,"  1646. 


264  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Sir  Thomas  Aston,  Sir  Jacob  Astley,  Sir  John  Hurry, 
Colonels  Spencer,  St.  John,  Edward  Feilding,  Villiers, 
Legge,  O'Neill,  Morgan,  Eure,  D'Arcy,  Gerard,  and  Con- 
stable ;  while  the  following  are  mentioned  as  serving  in 
the  royal  ranks  as  volunteers  : — Lords  Falkland,  Sunder- 
land, Carlisle,  and  Peterborough,  Sir  Edward  Sackville, 
Sir  John  Russell,  Hon.  Henry  Howard,  Colonels  Richard 
Feilding,  and  Stroud.  It  appears  that  Dr.  Jeremy  Taylor, 
the  learned  author  of  "Holy  Living  and  Dying,"  and  other 
works,  was  present  at  this  battle,  in  his  capacity  of  chap- 
lain to  Charles  I.,  and  was  most  indefatigable  in  his 
attention  to  the  dying  and  wounded  soldiers  of  both 
armies. 

On  the  side  of  the  Parliament  the  Earl  of  Essex  was  in 
chief  command,  and  amongst  the  more  conspicuous  leaders 
were  Lords  Robartes,  and  Grey  of  Groby,  Sir  John  Mey- 
rick.  Sir  Philip  Stapleton,  Sir  James  Ramsay,  Sir  William 
Constable,  Sir  Samuel  Luke,  Sir  William  Brooks,  Sir 
Richard  Bulstrode,  Sir  William  Springett'',  Major-Generals 
Skippon  and  Deane,  Colonels  Meldrum,  Goodwin,  Shef- 
field, Mainwaring,  Norton,  Dalbier,  Brackley,  Harvey, 
Holbourne,  Tucker,  White,  and  Fortescue. 

The  King's  first  movement  on  arriving  at  Newbury,  and 
becoming  aware  of  the  critical  situation  of  Essex,  was  to 
take  up  a  position  extending  from  the  town  to  Wash  Com- 


'■  Sir  William  Springett,  Knt.  ,  was  the  son  of  Herbert  Springett  of 
Ringmer,  Sussex,  Esq.,  by  his  wife  Mary,  only  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  John 
Proude,  Knt.,  and  of  Anne  Fagge,  his  wife,  one  of  the  coheirs  of  Edmund 
Fagge,  of  Ewell,  near  Faversham,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  Esq.  He  was 
knighted  at  Hampton  Court,  Feb.  10,  1641-2,  and  called  "of  Langley, 
Kent."  Sir  William  was  at  the  battle  of  Edgehill ;  he  had  a  commission 
to  be  Colonel  of  a  regiment  of  foot,  and  raised  800  men  ' '  without  beat  of 
drum."  He  was  wounded  at  the  fight  at  Newbury,  and  lay  for  several 
nights  in  the  field  in  Lord  Robartes'  coach.  After  being  in  many  other  en- 
gagements he  was  at  the  taking  of  Arundel  Castle,  and  there  contracted  a 
sickness  of  which  he  died,  Feb.  3,  1643-4,  being  then  only  23  years  of  age, 
and  was  buried  at  Ringmer.  His  posthumous  daughter,  Gulielma  Maria 
Springett,  born  a  few  weeks  after  his  death,  married  in  1672  William 
Penn,  the  eminent  Quaker,  and  Founder  of  Pennsylvania.  She  died 
February  23,  1693-4,  and  was  buried  at  Jordans,  co.  Bucks,  near  the  remains 
of  her  four  children  and  her  mother,  who  married,  as  her  second  husband, 
Isaac  Pennington,  son  of  Alderman  Pennington,  Lord  Mayor  of  London, 
an  active  partisan  against  Charles  I.,  and  one  of  his  judges.  Further  Biogra- 
phical notices  of  officers  engaged  in  the  two  battles  at  Newbury  will  be  found 
in  the  author's  work  on  these  and  other  local  transactions  at  this  period. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  265 

mon,  and  having  strengthened  his  front  by  several  hastily 
constructed  entrenchments,  he  so  posted  his  men  as  to 
cover  all  the  lines  of  advance  by  which  Essex  could  pro- 
ceed on  his  way  to  London.  His  determination  and  his 
interest  were  to  stand  on  the  defensive,  and  await  the 
advance  of  Essex,  who  he  knew  must  either  fight  or 
starve ;  but,  as  we  shall  see,  the  rashness  of  some  of  the 
younger  and  headstrong  cavalier  officers  frustrated  the 
King's  intentions,  and  was  fatal  to  the  success  of  his  care- 
fully-planned preparations. 

As  soon  as  daylight  appeared  on  the  morning  of  Wed- 
nesday, September  20,  Charles  was  in  the  field,  and 
arranged  his  army  into  three  divisions,  with  a  reserve  ;  his 
left  wing,  centre,  and  artillery  being  placed  upon  the 
plateau  of  the  Wash,  facing  west  towards  Enborne,  his 
right  wing  being  stationed  in  front  of  Newbury,  protected 
by  hedges,  and  resting  on  the  river  Kennet.  An  autumnal 
mist  prevailed,  so  that  neither  party  could  well  see  the 
position  of  the  other,  and  Essex  reaped  the  full  advantage 
of  this  circumstance.  He  perceived  it  was  impossible  to 
proceed  without  fighting  ;  and  that  he  had  only  to  prepare 
for  the  battle  in  the  way  most  favourable  to  himself ;  his 
opponents  were  in  a  marvellously  strong  position,  and 
most  difficult  to  be  assailed.  It  was,  as  the  Chronicles 
relate,  an  anxious  night  for  Essex  and  his  men.  They 
had  marched  in  a  drenching  rain  from  Cirencester,  without 
adequate  food  or  rest,  chiefly  through  an  open  country, 
and  partly  through  muddy  lanes  and  stony  ways ;  and 
the  horses  and  the  horsemen  were  as  weary  as  the  in- 
fantry. In  this  state  of  real  danger  all  was  fearful  and 
uncertain,  and  with  anxious  hearts  the  Puritan  soldiers 
passed  that  gloomy  night,  and  awaited  the  terrible  dawn 
that  seemed  to  be  slow  in  advancing.  But  a  mysterious 
sense  of  confidence  and  triumph  seemed  to  have  prevailed 
in  the  Parliamentary  camp.  So  soon  as  the  long-wished- 
for  dawn  appeared  Essex  divided  his  host,  as  was  the 
usual  military  order  of  the  period,  into  three  divisions. 
The  right  wing,  under  Skippon,  was  placed  on  the  rising 
ground  by  "  Bigg's  Hill,"  near  Hill  Farm,  Enborne,  ex- 


266  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

tending  along  the  valley  towards  the  Wash ;  the  centre 
and  artillery  on  the  plateau ;  and  the  left  wing  in  a  more 
northerly  direction  towards  Hampstead.  Here  also  the 
reserve  of  horse  and  foot  was  stationed.  With  stirring 
and  encouraging  words  Essex  excited  the  enthusiasm  of 
his  soldiers,  and  by  his  intrepid  demeanour  and  well-tried 
gallantry  inspired  the  greatest  confidence  ;  and  though  he 
told  his  men  a  battle  was  inevitable,  and  that  the  enemy 
had  all  the  advantages,  "the  Hill,  the  Town,-  Hedges, 
Lane,  and  River,"  they  unanimously  cried  out,  "  Let  us 
fall  upon  them  !  We  will,  by  God's  assistance,  beat  them 
from  them  all." 

The  military  judgment  and  watchful' eye  of  Essex  had 
led  him  to  observe  the  value  of  the  rounded  spurs  near 
Skinner's  Lane,  which  commanded  the  whole  of  the  low- 
lying  ground  between  the  town  and  the  Wash,  and  he 
speedily  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity  of  obtaining  an 
advantage  which  the  Royalists,  much  to  his  surprise,  had 
neglected  to  secure. 

Charles  having  no  part  of  his  army  in  this  direction 
enabled  Essex  to  steal  up  unperceived  in  the  twilight,  with 
a  portion  of  his  left  wing,  and  plant  two  pieces  of  cannon 
on  the  eminence  just  above  Cope  Hall,  before  the  Royalists 
were  aware  of  this  unforeseen  but  important  movement. 
Sudden  movements  frequently  decide  battles,  and  the 
Royalists,  seeing  the  advantage  taken  of  their  uninten- 
tional error,  at  daybreak  dispatched  Sir  John  Byron  to 
dislodge  the  Parliament  men,  and  so  prevent  the  conse- 
quences of  the  full  advantage  being  reaped  of  this  remark- 
ably strong  position. 

It  was  in  the  attempt  to  obtain  possession  of  this  "  round 
hill "  that  Lord  Falkland  was  killed.  "  My  Lord  of  Falk- 
land," says  Lord  Byron,  "  did  me  the  honour  to  ride  in 
my  troop  this  day,  and  I  would  needs  go  along  with  him  ; 
the  enemy  had  beat  our  foot  out  of  the  close,  and  was 
drawne  up  near  the  hedge  I  went  to  view ;  and  as  I  was 
giving  orders  for  making  the  gapp  wide  enough,  my  horse 
was  shott  in  the  throat  with  a  musquet  bullet  and  his  bit 
broken  in  his  mouth,  so  that  I  was  forced  to  call  for  an- 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  267 

other  horse ;  in  the  meanwhile  my  Lord  Fallcland  (more 
gallantly  than  advisedly)  spurred  his  horse  through  the 
gapp,  where  both  he  and  his  horse  were  immediately 
killed."  The  gap  now  being  made  wide  enough  for  the 
passage  of  Byron's  troopers,  they  were  drawn  into  the  next 
field,  and  gallantly  charged  the  enemy  ;  the  body  of  Falk- 
land being  trampled  in  the  earth,  and  was  not  found  till 
the  day  after  the  battle,  "  stript,  trod  upon,  and  mangled, 
and  could  be  only  identified  by  one  who  waited  upon  him 
in  his  chamber,  by  a  certain  mole  his  lordship  had  upon 
his  neck." 

The  occupation  of  the  "  round  hill "  above  Cope  Hall 
was  followed  by  the  advance  of  the  main  body  of  Essex's 
left  wing ;  and  simultaneously  the  right  was  pushed  for- 
ward on  Enborne  Heath,  to  co-operate  with  Essex,  the 
efforts  of  both  divisions  being  principally  directed  against 
the  King's  position  on  the  Wash,  and  which  barred  the 
nearest  line  to  London. 

Charles's  position  was  chosen  with  considerable  j  udgment, 
which  seemed  to  promise  the  accomplishment  of  a  certain 
victory,  and  he  had  wisely  resolved  to  keep  the  enemy  at 
bay,  and  not  to  become  himself  the  assailant.  But  this  reso- 
lution was  broken  by  the  impetuosity  and  insubordination 
of  some  of  the  young  cavalier  commanders,  who,  despising 
the  "  base-born  London  apprentices,  whom  they  came 
rather  to  triumph  ovei-  than  to  fight,"  rushed  excitedly 
upon  the  Parliamentary  right  wing  the  moment  they  were 
drawn  up  for  action  on  Enborne  Heath,  Consequently 
the  King's  whole  plan  of  action  was  paralyzed,  and  the 
barriers  of  restraint  were  now  burst  through,  and  it  became 
a  deadly  conflict,  hand  to  hand  in  all  parts  of  the  field. 
The  advanced  portion  of  the  King's  left  wing  were  un- 
equal to  maintain  the  struggle  against  Essex's  right  at 
Enborne,  and  obliged  the  King's  right  to  advance  for 
their  support,  leaving  much  of  their  artillery  behind  them 
on  the  Wash.  The  Parliamentary  left  wing  of  horse  and 
the  King's  right  were  so  impeded  by  the  high  banks  and 
deep  dikes,  with  so  many  hedges,  trees  and  bushes,  that 
they  could  only  engage  in  detached  parties  ;  and  in  such 


268  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

an  enclosed  country  as  this  the  cavalry  could  not  act  with 
that  efficiency  which  would  have  much  effect  in  deciding 
the  fortunes  of  the  day.  It  was  the  personal  example  and 
skill  of  Essex,  and  the  firm  attitude  and  valour  of  the 
trained  bands  of  the  City  of  London,  that  the  advantage 
ultimately  gained  by  the  army  of  the  Parliament  must  be 
chiefly  attributed.  The  citizen  soldiers  "endured  the 
chiefest  heat  of  the  day,"  and  upon  the  immovable  ram- 
part presented  by  their  serried  lines  of  pikes  the  stormy 
valour  of  Rupert's  choicest  cavaliers  again  and  again 
broke  in  vain.  Those  regiments,  "  of  whose  inexperience 
of  danger,  or  any  kind  of  service  beyond  the  easy  practice 
of  their  postures  in  the  Artillery  Garden,  men  had  till  then 
too  cheap  an  estimation,  behaved  themselves  to  wonder ; 
and  were  in  truth  the  preservation  of  the  army  of  the 
Parliament  that  day." 

If  either  party  hoped  to  decide  this  sanguinary  field 
before  night-fall,  both  were  disappointed  by  their  eager 
desire  for  revenge  and  victory.  The  shades  of  evening 
came  on,  yet  both  armies  were  still  fighting  as  furiously 
"  as  if  the  battell  was  but  new  begun."  The  twilight  dis- 
appeared, and  darkness  followed,  yet  neither  had  given 
way,  and  the  dreadful  battle  raged  with  lavish  but  still 
with  indecisive  slaughter.  The  dismal  struggle  being 
continued  by  isolated  parties  in  various  parts  of  the  field 
till  eleven  o'clock  or  thereabouts,  "  the  glimmer  of  the 
matches  and  the  flashing  of  the  fire-arms  serving  to  shew 
each  other  where  the  other  lay." 

At  length  it  was  impossible  to  distinguish  friends  from 
foes,  and  resting  nature  summoned  them  to  pause,  so 
about  the  middle  of  the  night  the  Royalists  withdrew 
their  artillery  from  the  Wash  and  retired  into  Newbury, 
and  by  daybreak  their  whole  force  had  quitted  the  ground 
of  the  previous  day's  action  ;  while  Essex  and  his  troops 
bivouacked  on  the  field  of  battle  in  a  very  cheerless  state, 
being  absolutely  without  food  and  shelter.  The  night, 
too,  was  very  damp  and  chilly,  and  not  a  drop  of  any- 
thing to  drink  was  to  be  had,  though  the  wounded  were 
dreadfully  tormented  with  thirst ;  and  it  is  reported  by  a 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  269 

Parliamentary  journal  that  one  officer  offered  ten  shillings 
for  a  quart  of  water  !     The  infantry  rested  on  their  pikes, 
the  cavalry  stretched  themselves  beside  their  horses,  anti- 
cipating a   bloodier   and  fiercer   day  on  the  morrow,  it 
being  reported  in  the  Parliamentary  camp  that  the  Roy- 
alists were   vigorously  working   to   get   their   cannon    in 
position  to  renew  the  combat  the  next  day :    "  Against 
which  supposed  encounter,"  says  the  "True  Relation  of 
the  Expedition,"  printed  by  order  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, "  we  encouraged   our   souldiers   before   hand,  and 
resolved  by  God's  help  the  next  day  to  force  our  way 
through  them  or  dye."     But  the  conflict  had  lasted  so 
long   that   both   sides  were   nearly  exhausted,  and   had 
"  little  stomack  for  the  field."  When  morning  broke  Essex 
drew  up  the  remnant  of  his  shattered  army  on  the  Wash, 
and  announced  his  readiness  to  renew  the  contest  by  the 
firing  of  artillery;  but  no  enemy  appearing,  and  finding 
the  way  by  Greenham  open  before  him,  he  continued  his 
march  towards  Reading  and  London.     The  Parliamentary 
army  had    not,  however,    marched   further  than   Alder- 
maston,  when  they  were  attacked  by  a  strong  party  of 
horse  and  musqueteers  ;  and  being  taken  at  a  disadvan- 
tage in  the  narrow  lanes  between  the  village  of  Alder- 
maston    and    Padworth,   were   thrown    into   considerable 
disorder.     After  a  sharp  skirmish,  in  which  considerable 
loss  was  sustained  by  both  parties,  the  Royalists  retired, 
and  Essex,  crossing  the  Kennet  at  Padworth,  pushed  on 
to  Theale,  where  he  arrived  about  10  o'clock,  and  quar- 
tered for  the  night.     On  Friday  morning  Essex  marched 
from  Theale  to  Reading,  where  a  committee  of  the  Lords 
and  Commons  met  their  successful  general,  to  congratulate 
him  on  the  great  service  he  had  done  the  Parliament,  and 
to  learn  the  wants  of  his  army,  with  an  assurance  that 
they  should  be  all  forthwith  supplied.     He  then  moved 
on  towards  the  capital,  leaving  Reading  to  be  occupied  by 
a  garrison  of  Royalists,  and  on  the  28th  made  a  trium- 
phant entry  into  the  City  of  London.     A  solemn  form  of 
thanksgiving  was  appointed,  and  the  day  after  his  arrival 
the  Earl  received  a  visit  of  thanks  from  the  Speaker  and 


2/0  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

the  members  of  both  Houses  of  Parliament  "  for  his  in- 
comparable conduct  and  courage ;"  and  informed  him  that 
they  had  ordered  this  acknowledgment  to  be  entered  in 
their  Journals  "  as  a  monument  and  record  of  his  valour, 
and  of  their  gratitude." 

The  battle  of  Newbury,  like  that  of  Edgehill,  was 
followed  by  no  decided  advantage  to  either  party.  The 
Parliamentarians  loudly  claimed  the  victory ;  and  not 
without  reason,  for  the  Royalists  suffered  them  to  march 
forward  from  the  field  of  battle  towards  London  un- 
molested. The  attack  on  their  rear  at  Aldermaston, 
though  it  produced  some  disorder  in  Essex's  ranks  and 
impeded  his  march,  gave  but  little  advantage  to  the 
Royalists,  and  was  practically  barren  of  results. 

In  this  action  the  loss  of  known  and  distinguished 
officers  was  chiefly  on  the  King's  side  ;  "  for  whilst,"  says 
Clarendon,  "  some  obscure,  unheard-of  colonel  or  officer 
was  missing  from  the  ranks  of  the  Parliament,  and  some 
citizen's  wife  bewailed  the  loss  of  her  husband,  there  were, 
on  the  King's  side,  above  twenty  field-officers,  and  persons 
of  honour  and  publick  name,  slain  upon  the  place,  and 
more  of  the  same  quality  hurt." 

On  the  Royalists'  side  the  following  names  of  officers 
killed  are  recorded : — The  Earl  of  Carnarvon,  the  Earl  of 
Sunderland,  Lord  P"alkland,  the  Hon.  Henry  Bertie,  and 
Sir  Anthony  Mansel.  Colonels. — Edward  St.  John,  Joseph 
Constable,  Poole,  Murray,  Richard  Piatt,  Pinchbeck, 
Wheatley,  Eure,  Slingsby,  Thomas  Morgan,  and  Stroud. 
Captains. — Robert  Molineux  (of  the  Wood,  Lancashire), 
Wm.  Symcocks  (Captain  in  Lord  Percy's  troop),  Francis 
Bartis,  Thos.  Singleton  (of  Stanyng,  Lancashire),  and 
Francis  Clifton  (of  Westby,  in  the  same  county).  Captain 
Sheldon,  of  Broadway  Court,  Worcester,  who  served  in 
Prince  Maurice's  regiment  of  horse,  and  Bernard  Brocas. 
Lieutenants. — Henry  Butler,  George  Collingwood,  and 
Wm.  Culcleth.  Algernon  Symes,  of  the  Little  Park, 
Windsor,  was  also  killed  in  the  action.  Among  the 
wounded  were  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  the  Earl  of  Peter- 
borough,  -Lord    Andover,    Lord    Chandos,    Sir   Charlea 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  271 

Lucas,  Sir  John  Russell,  Sir  Edward  Sackville,  Sir 
Edward  Waldegrave,  Major -General  George  Porter. 
Colonels. — George  Lisle,  Feilding  (died  of  his  wounds  at 
Oxford),  Thomas  Dalton  (died  of  his  wounds  at  Andover), 
Gerard,  Ivers,  D'Arcy,  Villiers,  Howard,  Spencer,  Bartley. 
Captains. — Panton  (fell  June  29,  1644,  at  Banbury), 
Thurston  Andrews  (died  of  his  wounds  at  Oxford),  and 
Mr.  Progers  (groom  of  the  bed-chamber  to  the  Prince 
of  Wales),  who  attached  himself  to  the  King's  interest 
during  the  war  with  the  Parliament  with  laudable 
fidelity. 

On  the  Parliamentary  side  the  name  of  no  officer  of 
note  is  given  as  having  fallen  in  this  battle.  Colonels. — 
Davies,  Bamfield,  Tucker,  Mainwaring  (of  the  London 
Brigade),  Greaves,  and  White.  Captains. — Hunt,  Ware, 
Talbot,  St.  Barbe,  and  Massey  are  mentioned  as  being 
amongst  the  slain  ;  and  Captains  Bolton,  Mosse,  Stoning, 
Juxon,  Willet,  Howes,  and  Warren  died  of  their  wounds 
a  short  time  after  the  battle.  Colonel  Dalbier,  Com- 
missary-General Copley,  Captains  Hammond,  Fleetwood, 
and  Pym,  and  Cornet  D'Oyley,  are  said  to  have  been 
wounded. 

After  the  Parliamentary  army  had  left  Reading,  the 
King  having  placed  a  force  of  horse  and  foot  there,  and 
established  a  garrison  at  Donnington  Castle  under  Col. 
John  Boys,  retired  with  Prince  Rupert  and  the  remainder 
of  his  army  to  Oxford,  where,  says  Clarendon,  "  there 
appeared  nothing  but  dejection  of  mind,  discontent,  and 
secret  mutiny  in  the  army,  anger  and  jealousy  among 
the  officers,  every  one  accusing  another  of  a  want  of 
courage  and  conduct  in  the  action  of  the  field,  and  they 
who  were  not  of  the  army  blaming  them  all  for  their 
several  failings  and  gross  oversights." 

Though  the  return  of  Essex  to  London  and  the  King's 
withdrawal  to  Oxford  for  winter  quarters  after  the  first 
battle  at  Newbury  terminated  the  campaign  of  1643,  as 
regards  the  two  principal  armies,  a  ceaseless  war  of  skir- 
mishes and  sieges  was  continued  with  varied  success  in 
other  parts  of  the  kingdom. 


272  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

In  the  autumn  of  1643,  the  Earl  of  Manchester  reduced 
Lynn;  on  October  11  the  King's  forces  were  utterly- 
beaten  at  Winceby,  near  Horncastle ;  the  siege  of  Hull 
was  raised  by  the  Marquis  of  Newcastle  on  the  12th; 
and  about  the  same  time  Manchester  succeeded  in  taking 
the  strong  garrisons  of  Lincoln  and  Gainsborough. 

The  following  January,  1643-4,  the  Scotch  auxiliary 
forces  entered  England  as  adherents  of  the  Parliament, 
and  Royalist  disasters  followed  each  other  in  rapid  suc- 
cession. 

Early  in  the  year  1644  (March  29)  the  King's  forces 
under  Lord  Hopton  were  defeated  at  the  battle  of  Cheri- 
ton,  or  Bramdean  Heath,  near  Alresford  ;  and  Waller 
soon  after  obtained  possession  of  the  city  of  Winchester, 
but  the  garrison  at  the  castle  notwithstanding  held  out 
for  the  King. 

When  active  military  operations  recommenced,  late  in 
April,  the  Parliament  had  no  less  than  five  armies  a-foot. 
That  of  Fairfax  and  the  auxiliary  army  of  the  Scots  in 
Yorkshire  ;  that  lately  commanded  by  Essex,  then  being 
recruited  in  London  after  its  successes  at  Gloucester  and 
Newbury ;  that  of  Waller,  which  had  been  reinforced  after 
its  expulsion  from  the  West ;  and  lastly,  the  army  sup- 
ported by  the  associated  eastern  counties,  consisting  of 
fourteen  thousand  men,  under  the  command  of  Man- 
chester and  Cromwell. 

At  this  time  the  King  had  two  large  armies  in  the 
field  :  his  own  consisting  of  10,000  men,  and  the  northern 
division,  under  Prince  Rupert  and  the  Marquis  of  New- 
castle, of  14,000  men  ;  and  there  were  in  addition  several 
considerable  forces  scattered  throughout  the  country, 
while  regiments  of  English  and  Irish  troops  were  landed 
from  time  to  time  in  Wales  and  elsewhere. 

In  May  Essex  and  Waller  left  London,  each  at  the 
head  of  10,000  men.  As  soon  as  the  former  had  reached 
Windsor,  and  the  latter  had  encamped  at  Basing,  the  King 
advanced  from  Newbury,  where  his  army  had  been  quar- 
tered for  nearly  a  month,  to  Reading.  Having  caused  the 
defensive  works  of  that  place  to  be  demolished,  he  withdrew 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  273 

his  garrison,  and  purposed  to  make  a  stand  at  Abingdon  ; 
but  on  Essex's  approach  Abingdon  was  evacuated,  and 
occupied  for  the  Parliament,  who  also  drew  troops  into 
Newbury ;  and  thus  by  the  end  of  May  became  masters 
of  the  whole  of  Berkshire,  except  Donnington  Castle, 
Faringdon,  and  Wallingford. 

Towards  the  end  of  May  Oxford  was  almost  entirely 
invested,  when  Charles,  by  a  skilful  manoeuvre,  saved  both 
his  army  and  the  city.  On  the  night  of  the  3rd  of  June, 
accompanied  by  his  cavalry  and  3,000  foot,  he  passed 
undiscovered  between  the  two  armies  of  Essex  and 
Waller,  and  proceeded  by  rapid  marches  to  Worcester, 
and  thence  across  the  Severn  to  Bewdley.  Meanwhile, 
as  soon  as  the  Parliamentary  leaders  became  aware  of 
Charles's  escape,  it  was  agreed  that  Waller  and  his  army 
should  follow  in  pursuit  of  the  King,  while  Essex  and  his 
army  reduced  the  towns  in  the  West.  Waller  thought  that 
Charles  was  making  for  Lancashire  to  join  Rupert,  and 
so  kept  ahead  of  him  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Severn.  So 
soon,  however,  as  the  King  heard  that  the  two  Parlia- 
mentary generals  had  separated,  he  determined  to  seize  the 
opportunity  of  fighting  Waller  before  he  could  be  assisted 
by  the  other  army  under  Essex,  then  on  its  way  to  the 
West. 

After  a  series  of  well-executed  manoeuvres,  Charles 
engaged  and  defeated  Waller,  on  the  29th  of  June,  at 
Cropredy  Bridge,  on  the  banks  of  the  Cherwell  near 
Banbury.  Three  days  after,  on  the  plains  of  Marston 
Moor,  was  fought  the  most  decisive  battle  that  had  yet 
taken  place,  and  which  was  most  disastrous  to  the  King's 
interests.  The  almost  total  destruction  of  his  Northern 
army  confirmed  Charles  in  his  determination  to  follow  in 
pursuit  of  Essex  before  other  reverses  might  occur.  En- 
couraged by  easy  conquests  Essex  had  advanced  further 
and  further  into  the  West,  unaware  of  the  dangers  gather- 
ing around  him.  He  was  in  sight  of  Exeter,  when  he 
heard  that  the  King,  having  defeated  Waller  at  Cropredy 
Bridge,  was  rapidly  advancing  against  him  and  collecting 
in  his  way  all  the  forces  he  could  command.    To  send 

T 


274  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Waller  to  Essex's  relief  with  a  newly- equipped  army 
was  then  the  strenuous  effort  of  the  Parliament ;  and 
as,  to  complicate  matters,  Rupert  was  sure  to  move 
southward,  it  became  a  necessary  part  of  their  plan  that 
Manchester's  army  should  come  out  of  its  quarters  in 
the  eastern  counties,  and  follow  Waller's  route  westward. 
Manchester,  with  his  army,  arrived  at  Huntingdon  on 
September  8.  By  that  time,  however,  the  fate  of  Essex 
in  Cornwall  had  been  decided.  Before  relief  could  reach 
him  he  had  been  obliged  to  make  his  own  escape  by  sea 
to  Plymouth,  on  his  way  to  London,  leaving  the  mounted 
troops  under  Sir  William  Balfour  to  cut  their  way  eastward 
as  they  could,  and  his  foot,  under  the  veteran  Skippon,  to 
negotiate  terms  of  surrender,  which  were  agreed  to  on 
September  i. 

For  the  space  of  six  weeks  after  Skippon's  surrender 
Charles  was  detained  by  the  necessities  and  discontents  of 
his  army  in  the  counties  of  Devon,  Somerset,  and  Wilts. 
The  middle  of  October  found  him  no  further  advanced 
than  Salisbury.  There  he  learned  from  Rupert,  to  whom 
he  had  sent  orders  to  join  with  the  forces  out  of  Wales, 
and  hasten  to  his  support,  that  they  would  not  at  present 
be  in  a  position  to  move  forward.  He  therefore  determined 
to  close  the  campaign,  and  return  without  delay  to  winter 
quarters  at  Oxford.  But  the  Parliament  did  not  mean  to 
allow  him  to  effect  this  without  opposition. 

Essex's  army  had  by  this  time  been  reorganized  and 
reinforced  by  the  addition  of  the  city  regiments,  5,000 
strong,  besides  numerous  recruits.  Waller's  army  had 
also  been  recruited  once  more,  and  he  lay  with  his  troops 
at  Andover  watching  the  Royalist  movements. 

On  October  16,  Cromwell  joined  Manchester's  army  at 
Reading,  with  a  detachment  of  horse ;  and  on  the  21st 
the  three  armies  of  Manchester,  Waller,  and  Essex,  con- 
sisting of  about  1 1,000  foot  and  8,000  horse  and  dragoons, 
united  near  Basingstoke.  The  King's  forces  were  much 
less  numerous,  even  before  the  Earl  of  Northampton 
had  been  dispatched  to  the  relief  of  Banbury  Castle. 
Charles,  owing  to  his  inferiority  in  point  of  numbers,  did 


Newbury  in  tJte  Seventeenth  Century,  275 

not  venture  to  risk  a  battle  in  the  open  field,  but  took  up 
a  strong  defensive  position  in  Newbury,  between  the  rivers 
Kennet  and  Lamborne.  On  the  south  the  town  was 
protected  by  the  Kennet.  On  the  north-east  troops  were 
quartered  in  the  village  of  Shaw,  which  was  strengthened 
with  a  breastwork,  and  in  Shaw  House,  a  little  in  advance 
of  the  village,  on  the  northern  bank  of  the  Lamborne — 
"  a  strong  stone  house,"  which  obtained  celebrity  as  the 
scene  of  the  deadliest  struggle  in  the  ensuing  fight.  On 
the  west  Prince  Maurice,  with  his  brigade  of  Cornish  horse, 
and  two  brigades  of  foot  and  artillery,  was  posted  in  the 
village  of  Speen,  below  Speen  Hill.  A  little  further  west- 
ward, on  the  heath  above,  near  Deanwood,  the  King's  left 
wing,  consisting  of  part  of  the  Cornish  foot  and  the  Duke 
of  York's  regiment  with  five  pieces  of  artillery,  was  posted, 
their  front  being  strengthened  by  a  breastwork  extending 
across  the  heath  toward  the  swampy  valley  below,  known 
as  Speen  Moors.  In  the  two  large  fields  lying  north  of 
Newbury,  between  the  rivers  Kennet  and  the  Lamborne, 
was  stationed  a  large  body  of  horse,  together  with  a  train 
of  artillery.  Approach  to  this  quarter  was  rendered  the 
more  difficult  by  the  neighbourhood  of  Donnington  Castle, 
which  was  held  for  the  King  by  a  strong  garrison  of  horse, 
foot,  and  artillery,  under  the  intrepid  governor,  Sir  John 
Boys.  Strong  guards  were  placed  on  the  south  of  the 
town,  and  detachments  of  horse  guarded  the  outlying 
passages  of  the  Lamborne  at  Bagnor  and  Boxford  to 
check  any  advance  upon  the  fords. 

The  Parliamentary  generals  established  their  camp  on 
Clay  Hill  and  the  elevated  table-land  extending  towards 
Ashmore  Green  and  Cold  Ash  Common,  lying  to  the 
north-east  of  Newbury — a  most  advantageous  post,  and 
which  enabled  them  to  observe  the  whole  position  occupied 
by  the  Royalists. 

Charles  commanded  his  army  in  person,  being  seconded 
by  the  following  officers  of  his  force,  among  others  : — 
Prince  Maurice,  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  the  Lords  Lindsey, 
Bernard  Stuart,  Cleveland,  Newport,  Berkshire,  Rivers, 
Capel,  Hopton,  Colepeper.  Goring,  Sir  Bernard  Astley, 

T  2 


276  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Sir  William  Brouncker,  Sir  William  St.  Leger,  Sir  Jacob 
Astley,  Sir  John  Owen,  Sir  Thomas  Hooper,  Sir  Richard 
Page,  Sir  John  Douglas,  Sir  Humphrey  Benett,  Sir  Edward 
Waldegrave,  Sir  John  Granville,  Sir  Joseph  Wagstaffe, 
Sir  Charles  Lloyd,  Sir  John  Cansfield,  Sir  George  Lisle, 
Colonels  Thelwall,  Leke,  Gerard,  Houghton,  &c. 

The  Earl  of  Manchester  was  in  chief  command  of  the 
Parliamentary  army  in  the  absence  of  Essex,  who  remained 
at  Reading  sick  in  body  and  mind ;  and  in  the  same  camp 
were, — Cromwell,  Sir  William  Waller,  Sir  Arthur  Hesilrige, 
Sir  William  Balfour,  Major-General  Skippon,  and  Crawford, 
Colonels  Ludlow,  Norton,  Birch,  &c. 

The  plan  of  the  Parliamentarians,  when  they  found 
Charles  so  strongly  placed,  was  at  once  to  attempt  both 
of  the  principal  Royalist  positions  at  Shaw  and  Speen, 
and  thus,  if  both  sides  succeeded,  they  would  completely 
surround  the  King.  For  this  purpose  it  was  decided  at  a 
council  of  war  that  the  greater  part  of  Manchester's  horse, 
all  Essex's  horse  and  foot,  and  almost  all  the  forces  under 
Waller  and  Hesilrige,  together  with  the  London  brigade, 
should  separate  from  Manchester,  and  by  a  flank  march 
surprise  the  Royalists'  position  at  Speen  Hill,  while  Man- 
chester and  Crawford  should  remain  with  the  other  portion 
of  the  troops  on  the  hill  at  Shaw  ;  it  being  agreed  between 
Manchester  and  Waller  that,  as  soon  as  the  sound  of  cannon 
should  be  heard  at  Speen,  the  former  should  advance  with 
his  forces  upon  the  Royalist  quarters  at  Shaw. 

Acting  on  this  decision,  the  right  wing  of  the  Par- 
liamentary army,  under  Waller,  Cromwell,  and  Skippon, 
marched  by  way  of  Hermitage  and  Chieveley  to  North 
Heath,  where  they  halted  for  the  night  (Saturday,  Oct.  26). 
The  next  morning  they  were  early  on  the  move,  and 
having  crossed  the  Lamborne  stream  at  Boxford  with 
but  slight  opposition  from  the  Royalist  outpost  here 
stationed  to  defend  the  passage,  proceeded  by  High  Street 
Lane  to  Wickham  Heath,  thence  to  Speen  Hill. 

As  soon  as  it  was  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the 
battle,  Sunday,  October  27,  Manchester  commenced  the 
attack  on  the  Royalist  post  at  Shaw  by  dispatching  a  body 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  277 

of  400  musqueteers  to  force  the  entrenched  position  at  the 
south-east  angle  of  the  park.  Being  without  adequate 
support  the  Parliamentarians  were  driven  back  in  con- 
fusion, and  in  attempting  to  gain  a  passage  by  a  tem- 
porary bridge  thrown  over  the  Lamborne,  many  fell 
by  the  swords  of  the  pursuing  Cavaliers,  and  numbers 
were  drowned  in  the  attempt  to  reach  the  opposite 
bank. 

After  this  unsuccessful  attempt  to  pierce  the  Royalist 
line  at  Shaw  no  further  effort  was  made  by  Manchester, 
who  seems  to  have  manifested  great  indifference  through- 
out the  day,  until  the  pre-concerted  signal  informed  him 
that  the  right  wing  had  fallen  on  at  Speen  Hill. 

The  Royalist  reserve  of  cavalry  at  Speen  being  absent 
on  a  foraging  expedition,  the  enemy  easily  got  posses- 
sion of  a  neighbouring  wood,  and  after  an  hour's  hard 
fighting  dislodged  the  Cornish  foot  and  horse,  and  drove 
in  and  dispersed  the  force  of  Prince  Maurice  in  the  vil- 
lage below.  Many  of  the  King's  troops,  outnumbered  to 
a  great  degree,  and  already  demoralized  by  increasing 
panic,  fled  for  protection  to  Donnington  Castle,  and  others 
into  Newbury,  followed  by  Cromwell's  victorious  horse. 
The  King,  who  was  present  in  person,  could  not  alto- 
gether prevent  this  flight  of  some  of  his  force,  and  at  one 
time  found  himself  in  imminent  danger.  At  this  crisis 
Sir  John  Cansfield,  a  worthy  Lancashire  cavalier,  with 
two  troops  of  the  Queen's  regiment,  gallantly  galloped 
forward  to  the  support  of  the  King,  and  succeeded  in 
driving  back  the  Parliamentary  squadrons.  A  fierce  three 
hours'  contest  followed  in  the  fields  lying  between  Don- 
nington and  Newbury  ;  the  Royalists,  however,  succeeded 
in  holding  their  own  till  night,  and  Waller  retired  into 
Speen. 

Meanwhile,  on  the  other  side  of  the  town,  the  second 
column,  which  comprised  Manchester's  battalions,  having 
heard  the  distant  firing  on  Speen  Hill,  prepared  to  essay 
the  more  difficult  task  of  forcing  the  King's  position  at 
Shaw  House.  "  It  was  about  four  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon," says  an  eye-witness, "  we  heard  the  cannon  begin  to 


278  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

play,  and  saw  the  fiering  of  the  muskiteers  on  Speene 
Hill,  which  discovered  the  service  to  be  very  hot ;  and 
not  long  after,  with  joy  and  thankfulness,  we  beheld  the 
hasty,  disorderly  retreat  of  the  enemy  towards  Newbery." 
"Animated  by  this  encouraging  sight,''  Manchester  led 
3,000  foot  and  1,200  horse  with  some  guns  down  Clay  Hill, 
singing  a  psalm  as  they  came,  to  storm  the  defences  of  the 
Royalists  at  Shaw  House,  and,  if  succeeding,  to  effect  a 
junction   with   their   friends  in  the   fields  lying  between 
Newbury   and    Donnington.      Charging   with   great   im- 
petuosity, the  Parliamentarians  were  met  by  the  Prince 
of  Wales's  regiment  of  horse,  who,  having  received  and 
returned  the  fire  of  the  advancing  column,  were  forced 
back  into  the  gardens  of  "  Doleman's  House."     It  was  in 
the  garden  on  the  east  side  of  the  house  that  the  severest 
conflict  and  most  terrible  struggle  took  place.     Again  and 
again  Manchester's  men  strove  to  carry  this  well-defended 
place,  but  were   driven   back,  leaving  the   gardens    and 
breastworks  covered  with  dead  and  wounded.     For  four 
hours,   while  the  infantry  of   the   Parliament  were  thus 
engaged,  the   cavalry  were  drawn   up   for  their  support 
barely  beyond  the  range  of  the  enemy's  pistols,  and  being 
thus  fully  exposed  to  their  fire,  suffered  most  severely. 
At  length  a  reserve  of  the  Royalists  coming  up,  the  Par- 
liamentarians retreated  up  Clay  Hill,  to  the  top  of  which 
they  were  pursued  by  the  enraged  Cavaliers,  who  had 
with  them  two  pieces  of  ordnance.     One  more  attempt 
was  made  by  Manchester  with  a  strong  body  of  cavalry  to 
force  the  position  at  Shaw,  but  it  was  foiled  by  the  pluck 
of  the  Royalists,  who  stood  their  ground,  and  again  com- 
pelled their  assailants  to  retire. 

It  was  now  ten  o'clock,  and  a  clear  moonlight  night. 
The  King,  who  had  been  a  personal  witness  to  that  part 
of  the  conflict  in  which  his  army  had  suffered  most,  and 
unaware  that  at  Shaw  the  tide  of  war  had  turned  in  his 
favour,  resolved  not  to  expose  himself  to  a  second  en- 
counter with  a  force  so  superior  till  he  had  reinforced  his 
ranks.  He  therefore  determined  to  act  on  the  resolution 
he  had  taken  in  the  morning,  in  case  of  an  unfavourable 


Newbury  in  tke  Seventeenth  Century.  279 

issue,  namely,  to  retreat  to  Wallingford,  and  thence  to 
Oxford.  Orders  were  accordingly  issued  to  the  officers  at 
once  to  draw  off  their  nien,  artillery,  and  military  stores 
to  Donnington  Castle,  and  make  what  haste  they  could  to 
get  beyond  the  reach  of  pursuit. 

These  movements  were  not  unobserved  by  the  enemy, 
who  evidently  also  fancied  itself  worsted  on  this  side,  as 
they  also  drew  off  from  all  parts  of  the  field  in  the  night, 
and  offered  no  opposition  to  the  withdrawal  of  the 
Royalists.  Charles  himself,  with  his  immediate  attend- 
ants, and  a  squadron  of  Life-guards,  made  good  his  escape 
to  Bath,  where  he  met  his  nephew.  Prince  Rupert,  who 
was  engaged  in  getting  together  the  Welsh  and  Northern 
reinforcements,  whose  expected  junction  had  so  long 
detained  the  prince  in  the  west  and  deprived  Charles  of 
his  assistance  at  Newbury. 

Prince  Maurice  ably  conducted  the  retreat,  and  the 
next  morning  discovered  the  Royalists  far  advanced  on 
their  march  to  Oxford.  Here  began  the  quarrel  between 
Manchester  and  Cromwell,  which  ended  in  the  charges 
brought  by  Cromwell  against  the  Earl,  the  self-denying 
ordinance,  and  the  re-modelling  of  the  army.  It  is 
asserted  that  Cromwell  not  doubting  as  to  the  state  in 
which  affairs  stood,  repeatedly  requested  leave  to  push  on 
with  his  cavalry  and  overtake  the  retreating  Royalists  ; 
but  he  was  peremptorily  restrained  by  the  General-in-chief ; 
and  as  Cromwell  brought  a  charge  to  this  effect  against 
Manchester  in  the  House  of  Commons,  the  statement  is 
probably  true.  After  miich  time  had  been  wasted  in  an 
angry  discussion,  Manchester  reluctantly  consented  that 
Waller,  Cromwell,  and  Hesilrige,  with  the  horse  (about 
6,000  strong)  which  had  been  engaged  on  the  Speen  side 
of  the  battle,  should  march  in  pursuit.  With  this  force 
the  Parliamentary  Generals  reached  Blewbury  without 
firing  a  shot ;  and  then  finding  that  the  enemy  had  got 
clear  over  the  river  at  Wallingford  many  hours  before,  it 
was  considered  useless  to  pursue  further ;  and  the  troops 
were  accordingly  quartered  in  Blewbury,  Hagborne, 
Chilton,  Harwell,  and  the  neighbouring  villages.     Mean- 


28o  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

while,  a  letter  having  been  sent  by  Manchester  froni 
Newbury,  desiring  the  return  of  the  force,  the  three 
Generals  came  back  to  Newbury,  where  they  had  an 
interview  with  the  Earl.  They  then  pressed  earnestly  to 
have  the  whole  army  marched  speedily  into  quarters  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Oxford  (about  Witney,  Burford, 
and  Woodstock),  where  the  King's  troops  had  already 
begun  to  rally.  That  being  denied,  they  requested  that 
two  or  three  thousand  of  the  foot  then  quartered  in 
Newbury  should  march  to  join  the  horse  at  Blewbury. 
Manchester  could  not,  however,  be  persuaded  to  stir  until 
the  Saturday  following  (November  2),  on  which  day  he 
started  with  a  portion  of  his  infantry,  and  in  two  days 
managed  to  get  as  far  as  Harwell,  which  same  distance, 
Cromwell  says,  the  Earl  on  his  return  "  dispatcht  in  one." 
Arriving  at  Harwell,  Manchester  refused  to  proceed 
further  until  he  had  received  instructions  from  the  Com- 
mittee in  London  ;  his  excuse  being  the  badness  of  the 
roads  and  other  impediments.  The  two  commissioners. 
Lord  Warriston  and  Mr.  Crew,  proceeded  from  Harwell  to 
London  to  represent  matters  in  person  to  the  Derby-house 
Committee  :  but  on  Tuesday  (November  5 ),  the  day  before 
the  directions  of  the  Committee  were  received,  Manchester 
appointed  a  rendezvous  for  the  next  morning  on  Compton 
Downs,  four  or  five  miles  back  towards  Newbury.  The 
whole  body  of  horse  under  Cromwell  on  Tuesday  night 
lay  on  Chilton  Plain,  and  the  following  day  moved  to 
Compton  and  joined  Manchester,  who  had  by  this  time, 
much  to  his  satisfaction,  received  orders  from  London  not 
to  divide  his  army,  but  to  march  back  to  Newbury  and 
endeavour  to  take  Donnington  Castle.  Siege-pieces  and 
ammunition  were  dispatched  to  him  for  that  purpose. 
Consequently  the  entire  force  retraced  their  steps,  reaching 
Newbury  on  November  7.  They  then  summoned  Don- 
nington Castle  to  surrender,  threatening  Sir  John  Boys 
that  if  he  did  not  instantly  comply  they  would  not  leave 
one  stone  upon  another.  The  Governor  answered,  "  If  so, 
I  am  not  bound  to  repair  it : "  being  urged  a  second  and 
third  time  to  surrender,  with  the  offer  that  he  should  be 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  28 1 

permitted  to  march  out  with  all  the  arms,  ammunition,  and 
stores  deposited  in  the  Castle,  he  replied — "  Carry  away 
the  castle  walls  themselves,  if  you  can  ;  but,  with  God's 
help,  I  am  resolved  to  keep  the  ground  they  stand  on 
till  I  have  orders  from  the  King,  my  master,  to  quit  it, 
or  will  die  upon  the  spot."  An  assault  was  then  deter- 
mined on,  but  the  officer  who  led  the  storming  party 
being  killed,  and  differences  arising  between  the  Generals, 
nothing  further  was  done,  and  the  troops  retired  to  the 
town. 

From  Bath  Charles  returned  without  delay  to  Oxford, 
attended  by  Prince  Rupert  and  his  reinforcements.  On 
November  6  the  whole  army,  amounting  to  6,000  foot 
and  4,000  horse,  mustered  near  Oxford  ;  and  on  the  9th 
Charles,  much  to  the  surprise  of  his  enemies,  appeared 
once  more  within  sight  of  Newbury,  relieved  Donnington 
Castle,  carried  off  all  his  artillery,  marched  down  the  hill, 
and  through  the  village  of  Donnington,  and  across  the 
front  of  the  enemy's  position,  with  drums  beating,  trumpets 
sounding,  and  colours  flying.  Manchester,  however,  de- 
clined the  challenge,  and  Charles  returned  unmolested  to 
Donnington  Castle,  and  the  same  night  slept  within  the 
fortress. 

The  next  morning  Charles,  followed  by  the  train  of 
artillery  and  equipages,  marched  to  Lamborne,  thence,  to 
Marlborough  and  Hungerford,  whence  he  relieved  Basing, 
and  then  having  visited  Wantage  and  Faringdon  on  his 
way,  arrived  at  Oxford  on  November  23. 

This  closed  the  campaign  of  1644,  and  the  Parlia- 
mentary troops  were  put  into  winter  quarters — the  foot 
about  Newbury,  Reading,  Abingdon,  and  Henley,  and  the 
horse  in  and  around  Fairnham,  Wokingham,  Windsor, 
Maidenhead,  and  Staines. 

It  is  difficult  to  accurately  compute  the  number  of  those 
killed  in  the  second  engagement  at  Newbury,  as  each 
party  sought  to  reduce  its  own  loss  and  augment  that  of 
its  opponent.  But  the  casualties  were  numerous  on  both 
sides.  The  following  Royalists  are  mentioned  as  having 
been    killed    in    the    action : — Sir  William    St.    Leger, 


282  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Colonels  Leke,  Houghton,  Topping,  and  Jones;  Majors 
Trevellian  and  Knyvet ;  Captains  Whittingham,  Catelyn, 
Walfole,  Philpot,  and  Mildmay.  Also  Mr.  Barksdale,  of 
Newbury,  a  volunteer.  Of  the  wounded  were — the  Earl 
of  Brentford,  Sir  John  Granville,  Sir  John  Cansfield,  Sir 
Edward  Waldegrave,  Colonel  Page,  Major  Alford,  Captain 
Wells,  &c. 

Very  few  names  of  the  Parliamentary  officers  who  fell  in 
this  battle  have  been  handed  down  to  us.  Colonel  Gawler, 
Major  Hurry,  Captains  Willet,  Talbot,  and  D'Oyley  were 
killed  ;  and  Colonels  Norton,  Hartley,  or  Barclay,  and 
Lloyd  are  mentioned  as  having  been  wounded. 


Presentment  and  Order  of  the  Court  Leet, 
1644-46-49. 

In  the  year  1644,  the  date  of  the  second  battle  of 
Newbury,  there  appears  the  following  order  : — 

"  And  lastlie  wee  Order,  consideringe  the  continuall  troubles 
of  the  time  and  the  dailie  businesses  and  services  hourely  hap- 
pinnge,  that  there  shall  bee  chosen  by  us  six  Constables  for  the 
yeare  followinge  out  of  w'*'  six  the  Mayor  and  Justices  to 
have  power  to  make  choice  of  them  to  serve  for  the  yeare 
followinge." 

At  the  Court  held  in  1646  we  have  : — 

"  Item  wee  order  that  every  fifather  of  or  Maister  of  a  family 
that  shall  suffer  his  children  or  servants  to  play  in  the  streets  or 
else  where  in  the  parish  on  the  Lord's  day  within  this  Towne,  for 
every  such  facte  after  they  have  information  of  such  abuses  the 
ffather  or  Maister  to  forfeite  6(/." 

In  1647  we  have  the  following  presentment  as  to  fore- 
stallers : — 

"  Item,  wee  present  Will.  Simonds,  Ric.  Turner,  Hugh  Kettle, 
George  White,  for  ffore  stallinge  the  markett  in  Eying  and  Sellinge 
provisions  contrary  to  the  same.  Therefore  we  amerce  them  5^. 
a  peece. 

"  We  p'sent  Thomas  Farneford  the  eld'  for  entertaining 
ffrancis  paine  as  an  Inmate  contrary  to  the  Law.     And  therefore 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  283 

we  ord'  that  he  shall  remove  hym  by  the  fourteenth  day  of 
fFebraary  next  or  shall  forfeit  for  his  neglect  5''." 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  following  entry  that  the  Court 
Leet  Jury  had  power  to  punish  offenders  by  fine  and 
amercement  for  assaults  and  other  offences  of  a  like 
nature,  which  are  frequently  recorded  as  having  been 
dealt  with  by  the  Court : — 

"Item,  Wee  p''sent  Thomas  Gray  the  younger  for  that  he 
drew  blood  of  the  person  of  Richard  Younge,  and  therefore  we 
amerce  him  35.  4(f." 

To  sell  fruit  in  the  market  was  an  offence  against  the 
bye-laws  of  the  town,  as  interfering  with  the  privileges  of 
the  regular  traders,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  :  — 

"  Item,  We  p''sent  Thomas  Hampton,  Widd.  Baker,  Widd. 
Colbourne  for  bringing  of  fruit  into  our  markett  and  selling  of  it 
in  the  same,  being  contrary  to  the  Law,  and  do  amerce  every  one 
of  them  2 J.  dd." 

The  following  Order  occurs  in  the  year  1649  : — 

"  Whereas  there  hath  bin  an  Order  fformerly  made  y'  for  the 
better  preserving  of  this  towne  from  dangers  of  fire  And  many 
other  great  inconveniences  that  are  likely  to  happen  to  this 
towne  And  for  the  apprehendinge  of  all  pilfring  Rogues  and 
suspitious  persons.  That  there  should  be  a  Bellman  that  should 
walk  the  streets  from  9  of  the  clock  in  the  eveninge  till  5  in  the 
mominge,  And  from  9  of  the  clock  in  the  mominge  till  5  of  the 
clock  in  the  eveninge,  and  shout  a  distinct  and  audible  noise  to 
give  notice  as  well  of  the  present  condition  of  wheather  and  the 
tyme  and  hower  of  the  night,  which  Bellman  it  was  to  have  51.  a 
week  dewly  and  truly  pd  him  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
towne,  y'  is  to  say  of  everie  inhabitant  payinge  a  \d.  a  week  to 
the  poore  to  pay  \d.  everie  three  months.  And  of  every  one 
payinge  a  id.  a  week  to  the  poore  to  pay  2d.  everie  three  months. 
And  soe  proportionable  to  be  collected  by  the  Bayliffs  of  the  sd 
Towne  and  pd  the  Constables.  And  thus  to  pay  55.  weekly  to 
the  sd  Bellman.  And  by  reason  of  the  neglect  of  this  Order  for 
not  having  of  a  Bellman  many  great  dangers  and  inconveniences 
have  happened  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  town. 


284  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century^ 

"We  ordeyne  that  y«  form'  Order  shall  be  in  full  forse  and 
power  and  that  John  Baker  shall  be  the  Bellman.  And  y'  he 
performe  his  office  well  and  truly  he  shall  have  5^.  a  weeke  dewly 
pd.  To  be  collected  by  the  Bayliffs  according  to  the  former 
Order.  And  pd  to  the  Constables.  And  by  them  to  the  Bellman. 
And  if  any  inhabitant  in  the  towne  shall  refuse  to  pay  his  tax 
shall  forfeit  5^.  And  the  sd  Baylifife  shall  distrayne  for  the 
same  of  the  pties  refusinge.  And  if  the  Bayliffs  shall  refuse  to 
collect  and  gather  the  sd  some  of  money  for  everie  three  months 
shall  forfeit  20^.  a  peice.  And  wee  further  order  y  Constables 
of  this  Towne  now  beinge  to  settle  the  Bellman  in  his  office  by 
the  7th  of  february  next,  and  soe  to  continue  him  or  else  to 
forfeit  the  sum  of  40^-.  a  peice." 


Cromwell  visits  Newbury,  1649-50. 

In  1649  Cromwell  passed  through  Newbury  at  the  head 
of  a  large  force  destined  for  the  conquest  of  Ireland  ; 
and  again  on  his  return  the  following  year,  when  he  was 
enthusiastically  received,  and  congratulated  on  the  result 
of  his  successful  expedition. 

Newbury  Tokens,  1652-57. 

From  the  accession  of  Queen  Elizabeth  to  the  reign  of 
Charles  II.  permission  to  coin  small  money,  or  tokens,  was 
given  to  all  tradesmen  who  chose  to  do  so,  for  the  purpose 
of  "  necessarie  change,"  as  was  sometimes  inscribed  upon 
them.  The  materials  were  generally  of  lead,  tin,  copper, 
or  brass  ;  and  communities  or  individuals  who  issued  this 
useful  kind  of  specie  were  obliged  to  take  it  again  when 
brought  to  them.  In  large  towns  where  tokens  of  various 
sorts  were  in  circulation,  it  was  usual  for  a  tradesman  to 
keep  a  sorting-box,  into  the  partitions  of  which  he  put 
the  several  pieces  of  the  respective  persons  who  issued 
them,  and  when  he  had  accumulated  a  certain  quantity 
of  one  individual's  money,  he  sent  it  to  him,  and  received 
silver  in  exchange.  During  the  period  of  the  Common- 
wealth and  the  Protectorate  no  copper  coinage  was  issued 
by  the  government,  and  it  was  at  this  time,  owing  to  the 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  285 

scarcity  of  the  current  coins  of  small  amount,  that  private 
traders'  tokens  were  issued  in  such  large  quantities.  With 
a  few  exceptions  the  style  of  the  workmanship  of  these 
coins  is  the  same,  and  the  devices  they  bear  are  in  most 
cases  perfectly  uniform  for  the  several  trades. 

In  1654  the  Court  Leet  ordered  : — 

"That  noe  inhabitants  of  this  Towne  shall  coin  any  farthinges 
of  lead  or  pewter,  or  offer  any  such  in  payment  or  exchange  of 
money  unles  every  farfhinge  shall  have  on  it  the  worth  of  such 
mettall  as  shall  be  worth  a  farthinge,  and  in  case  any  man  shall 
henceforth  continue  to  coyne  as  aforesaid  they  shall  forfeit  every 
one  of  them  to  the  Lords  of  the  Manor      .         .     xxj'.  a  peice." 

In  1657  the  following  order  was  made  respecting  these 
borough  farthings  or  tokens  : — 

"  Wee  order  that  the  brass  farthinges  that  are  stampt  with  the 
signe  of  the  Castle  on  the  one  side,  and  B.  N.,  w'ch  signifies  the 
Borough  of  Newbery  on  the  other  side,  shall  passe  for  courant 
payment  in  this  Towne  untill  they  are  cryed  downe  by  supreame 
authority.  And  in  case  they  are  cryed  downe.  That  then  the 
Mayor  and  the  rest  of  the  Company  shall  take  them  in  againe 
and  pay  every  man  soe  much  silver  as  they  were  put  out  for." 

One  of  the  Newbury  tokens  is  somewhat  exceptional, 
and  possesses  some  additional  interest,  as  it  was  issued  by 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Sayer,  Rector  of  the  parish,  most  probably 
for  almsgiving  or  other  parochial  purposes,  and  bears  on 
the  reverse  the  appropriate  device  of  a  Bible  in  the  field. 

The  following  list  comprises  all  the  known  varieties 
of  seventeenth-century  tokens  issued  at  Newbury  : — 

Obverse — Borovgh  of  Newbery — The  Borough  Arms. 
Reverse — In  Covnty  of  Berks.     B.N.     1657. 
Obverse — Borovgh  of  Newbry — The  Borough  Arms. 
Reverse — In  Covnty  of  Berks.     B.N.     1657. 
Obverse — Thomas  Cowslade — A  Lion  rampant. 
Reverse — Grocer  in  Newbery — T.  C.  C. 
Obverse — William  Harrison — The  Grocers'  Arms. 
Reverse— Of  Newbery.     1657.     W.  S.  H. 


286  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Obverse— John  Hill— A  Scull. 

Reverse — Of  Newbury.     J.  S.  H. 

Obverse — John  Naish-in — The  Grocers'  Arms. 

Reverse — Grocer,  Newbery.     J.  S.  N.     1652. 

Obverse — Joseph  Sayer,  Rector — The  Borough  Arms. 

Reverse — Of  Newbery — A  Bible. 

Obverse — Thomas  Younge — The  Mercers'  Arms. 

Reverse — Junier,  in  Newburye — His  Farthinge. 

Obverse — Jonas  Noroway,  Junior — The  Grocers'  Arms. 

Reverse— Grocer,  in  Newberry.     J.  S.  N. 

This  custom  of  issuing  tokens  was  continued  till  the 
year  1672,  when  the  government  struck  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  halfpence  and  farthings  for  the  exigencies 
of  trade,  and  the  further  circulation  of  private  tokens 
was  prohibited  by  Proclamation, 


Dutch  Prisoners  sent  to  Newbury,  1653. 

In  the  course  of  the  Dutch  war,  in  which  the  Admirals 
Van  Tromp,  De  Ruyter,  and  De  Witt  were  met  by  the 
Commonwealth  leaders  Blake,  Deane,  Monk,  and  Popham, 
a  number  of  prisoners  were  taken  and  dispatched  to 
various  provincial  towns.  One  hundred  were  sent  to 
Newbury  in  April,  1653,  and  in  the  following  November 
John  Birch,  the  Mayor,  petitioned  Parliament  that  the 
town  might  either  be  paid  for  the  keep  of  the  Dutchmen, 
or  have  them  removed,  as  the  inhabitants  were  sorely 
distressed  by  this  extra  burden  being  laid  upon  them. 


Visit  of  John  Evelyn  to  Newbury,  1654. 

John  Evelyn  in  his  Diary  mentions  that  in  June,  1654, 
he  passed  through  Newbury  when  on  a  visit  to  his  wife's 
relations  in  Wiltshire.  He  describes  Newbury  as  "  a  con- 
siderable town,  and  Donnington  famous  for  its  battle, 
siege,  and  castle  ;  this  last  had  been  in  the  possession  of 
old  Geoffrey  Chaucer '." 

'  Evelyn's  Diary  and  Correspondence,  vol.  i.  p.  302. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  287 

Freeholders  in  1655. 

The  following  list  of  the  Freeholders  within  the 
Borough  in  1655  is  appended  to  the  minutes  of  the  Court 
Leet  and  Court  Baron  of  that  year : — 

Humphrey  Dolman,  esq.  James  Bond,  jun.,  gent. 

Philip  Weston,  gent.  Richard  Cooke,  gent. 

William  Howse,  gent  John  Chylde,  gent. 

John  Howse,  gent.  John  Hedye,  gent. 

Richard  Watts,  gent.  John  Edmonds,  gent. 

Gabriell  Cox,  gent.  Richard  Pinfold,  gent. 

Benjamin  Woodbridge,  gent.  Thomas  ffurinfold,  gent. 

John  Monday,  gent.  Thomas  Wilson,  gent. 

Rich.  Whillmott,  gent.  John  Hunt,  gent. 

Robert  Blunt,  gent.  John  Weston,  gent. 

Dowse  fFuUer,  esq.  Will.  Webb,  gent, 

ffrancis  Bond.  ffrancis  Dracott,  gent. 

John  Seeley,  sen.  Joseph  Guilmore,  gent. 

John  Seeley,  jun.  John  Rowland,  gent. 

Robert  Surye,  esq.  John  Burch,  gent. 


Title  of  the  Protector,  1655. 

The  Court  Baron  minutes  for  the  year  1655  commence 
thus : — 

"  The  Borough  of  Newbury,  co.  Berks.  Mr.  Richard  Ffanner, 
Maior. 

"  The  view  of  ffranke  pledge  of  his  highnesse  the  Lorde  Pro- 
tector of  the  nations  of  England,  &c.  And  the  dominions 
thereunto  apperteyninge  with  the  Court  Baron  of  the  Maior, 
Aldermen,  and  Burgesses  held  the  nyneteenth  day  of  October, 
1655,  before  Thomas  Fflexney,  Esq.,  dept.  Steward  there." 

The  Rising  in  the  West,  1655. 

In  March,  1655,  Sir  Joseph  Wagstaffe,  a  Cavalier  officer 
who  was  engaged  at  the  second  battle  of  Newbury  in 
1644,  Colonel  John  Penruddock,  Hugh  Grove,  and  other 
Royalists,  assembled  about  200  horse,  and  proclaimed 
Charles  II.  king  at  Salisbury,    After  that  they  took  Crom- 


288  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

well's  judges  and  sheriff  prisoners ;  but  not  being  joined 
by  the  Royalists  from  other  counties,  they  were  soon  sup- 
pressed, and  Penruddock,  Grove,  and  many  of  their  fol- 
lowers were  executed.  Among  the  latter  was  an  inhabit- 
ant of  Newbury,  named  John  Kensey'',  a  surgeon,  who  is 
said  to  have  been  drawn  into  the  rising  by  one  Robert 
Mason,  a  gentleman  residing  at  Hungerford,  who  escaped. 
Kensey  was  executed  at  Salisbury,  and  according  to  the 
Faithful  Scout  of  May  ii,  1655,  "deported  himself  with 
singular  constancy  and  stedfastness." 

On  March  15,  a  few  days  after  the  rising,  Major-General 
Disbrowe,  the  brother-in-law  of  Cromwell,  was  at  Newbury 
with  troops  advancing  from  London,  to  suppress  the 
Western  Cavaliers,  and  in  a  letter  written  to  the  Protector, 
dated  from  this  town,  he  gives  an  account  of  his  progress 
and  proposed  movements.  From  Newbury  he  went  to 
Amesbury,  and  thence  to  Shaftesbury  and  Wincanton, 
whence  he  wrote  to  the  Protector  informing  him  of  the 
complete  rout  of  the  Cavaliers. 


The  Tumbrel,  or  Ducking  Stool,  1660,  &c. 

At  the  Court  held  in  1660  the  jury  present — 

"  That  the  Constables  last  yeare  did  not  according  to  Order  of 
Law  to  sett  upp  a  Tumberill  or  Cooking  stoole,  therefore 
amerced 2s.  6d. 


^  "The  Tryall  and  Sentence  of  Death  to  be  Drawn,  Hanged,  and 
Quartered,  Pronounced  against 

Mr.  Mack  an  apothecary  of  Salisbury, 

Mr.  John  Thorp  an  Innkeeper  of  the  same  town, 

Mr.  Kensey  a  Chiourgeon  \_sic\  of  Newbury, 

and  Mr.  Dean  and  Mr.  Lukes  of  Hungerford, 
upon  a  charge  of  high  treason  for  conspiring  together  to  take  up  arms  and 
raise  new  forces  for  the  King  of  the  Scots."     (London,  G.  Horton,  1655.) 
April  19  written  upon  it.     Thomason's  Collection  of  Pamphlets. 

The  "Mr.  Dean"  mentioned  was  John  Deane  of  Oxenwood,  in  the  parish 
of  Tidcombe,  Wilts,  who  was  reprieved,  and  afterwards  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives in  Parliament  of  the  borough  of  Great  Bedwyn,  30  Car.  II.,  1678. 
His  burial  is  thus  entered  in  the  Tidcombe  Register,  "  1694-5.  Colonell  John 
Deane,  Esq.,  of  Oxenwood,  buried  January  y«  4th."  "  Mr.  Lukes,"  i.e.  John 
Lucas,  was  brother  to  Jehosephat  Lucas,  whose  name  as  Constable  in  1634 
is  engraved  on  the  Hungerford  town  horn  which  is  annually  used  at 
Hocktide. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century,  289 

"  And  wee  order  that  the  Constables  of  this  Borough  for  this 
yeare  shall  sett  one  upp  before  the  25  th  of  January  next  or  else  to 
forfeit 205." 

The  ducking-stool,  a  machine  formerly  used  for  the 
punishment  of  scolds  and  brawling  women,  also  anciently 
inflicted  on  brewers  and  bakers  who  transgressed  the  laws, 
is  sometimes  used  interchangeably  for  cucking-stool.  This, 
the  oldest  known  remedy  for  evil  tongues,  is  mentioned 
in  the  Domesday  Survey,  in  the  account  of  the  city  of 
Chester,  and  must  have  been  in  frequent  use  in  Newbury, 
judging  from  the  number  of  entries  in  the  Corporation 
books  of  money  paid  for  its  repair.  The  following  inter- 
esting description  of  the  ducking-stool  is  given  by  M. 
Misson,  an  intelligent  Frenchman,  who  travelled  in  Eng- 
land about  the  year  1700  : — 

"This  method,"  he  says,  "of  punishing  scolding  women  is 
funny  enough.  They  fasten  an  arm  chair  to  the  end  of  two 
strong  beams,  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  long,  and  parallel  to  each 
other.  The  chair  hangs  upon  a  sort  of  axle,  on  which  it  plays 
freely,  so  as  always  to  remain  in  the  horizontal  position.  The 
scold  being  well  fastened  in  her  chair,  the  two  beams  are  then 
placed,  as  near  to  the  centre  as  possible,  across  a  post  on  the 
water-side ;  and  being  lifted  up  behind,  the  chair,  of  course, 
drops  into  the  cold  element.  The  ducking  is  repeated  according 
to  the  degree  of  shrewishness  possessed  by  the  patient,  and  gen- 
erally has  the  effect  of  cooling  her  immoderate  heat,  at  least  for 
a  time.'' 

At  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  held  at  Newbury  on 
January  17,  1672-3,  this  punishment  was  ordered  to  be 
administered  to  a  peccant  dame,  as  will  be  seen  from  the 
following  extract  taken  from  the  Sessions  book  of  that 
date : — 

"  Margaret  Adams,  widdow,  hath  appeared  and  pleaded  not 
guilty  to  her  Indictment  for  a  common  scold,  and  put  herself 
uppon  the  Jury,  who  being  sworne  say  she  is  guilty  of  the  In- 
dictment ag'  her,  and  that  she  is  to  be  ducked  in  the  ducking- 
stool  according  as  the  mayor  shall  think  the  time  fitting." 

U 


290  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Presentments  of  the  Court  Leet,  1661-62. 

In  1661  the  Court  present  "Wm.  Goldbourne  to  be 
Portrive  for  the  year  ensuing  to  collect  the  Presentments 
made  by  this  jury." 

The  following  curious  order  respecting  bull-baiting 
appears  in  the  minutes  of  the  Court  held  in  1662,  the 
notion  being  that  the  practice  not  only  afforded  amuse- 
ment, but  made  the  meat  more  wholesome  : — 

"Item,  we  prsent  Edward  Caton,  sen.,  Edward  Caton,  jun., 
jGhn  flfarrow,  sen.,  John  Rich,  and  Thomas  Alexander  for  killing 
bulls  without  bayting  of  them  according  to  the  custom  3J-.  4//. 
a  peice ;  And  wee  order  that  if  any  Butcher  or  Butchers  shall 
henceforth  kill  any  bull  or  bulls  without  bayting  shall  forfeit  and 
pay  for  every  such  offence  for  every  bull  soe  killed   .         3^.  4</." 

In  a  subsequent  order,  under  the  year  168 1,  the  custom 
of  baiting  bulls  before  being  killed  is  referred  to  as  a 
special  order  of  the  Leet  Court  made  in  the  fifteenth  year 
of  King  James  I. : — 

"Item.  Wee  ordeyne  that  noe  Butcher  shall  kill  Bulls  or 
bring  their  fflesh  into  the  markett  unles  the  Bull  or  Bulls  be  first 
Bayted,  and  in  case  they  shall  refuse  to  have  them  Bayted  they 
shall  pay  3J.  i^d.  for  every  default  being  sold  without  Baytings, 
according  to  an  Order  of  this  Court  made  XV  Jacobi  muss.  Rex 
Anglie,  &c.  And  alsoe  wee  do  further  Ordeyne  that  if  any 
Butcher  shall  kill  a  Bull  out  of  this  Burrough,  and  bring  the  fflesh 
into  this  Burrough  to  sell.  They  shall  for  every  such  offence  pay 
xx^.,  which  money  is  to  be  collected  by  the  fflesh  and  ffishe 
Tasters.  The  one  halfe  for  themselves,  and  the  other  for  the 
use  of  the  poore." 

Visit  of  Charles  II.  to  Newbury,  1663. 

Charles  II.,  who,  when  Prince  of  Wales,  was  present 
at  the  second  battle  at  Newbury,  visited  the  town  in 
August,  1663,  accompanied  by  the  Duke  of  York,  after- 
wards James  II.,  and  rode  over  the  scene  of  both  engage- 
ments. On  that  occasion  the  Mayor  and  Corporation 
presented  the  "Merrie  Monarch"  with  a  purse  of  gold 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  291 

and  an  address  of  welcome.  Charles  and  his  Court  were 
entertained  by  Sir  Thomas  Dolman  at  Shaw  House. 
Queen  Catherine  of  Braganza  was  also  at  Newbury  in 
i6;8. 

Visit  of  Pepys  to  Newbury,  1668. 

Pepys,  the  famous  diarist,  and  Secretary  to  the  Ad- 
miralty in  the  reigns  of  Charles  II.  and  James  II.,  was 
also  here  in  June,  1668  : — 

"  Come  to  Newbery,"  he  says,  "  and  there  dined ;  and  miisick ; 
a  song  of  the  old  Cavalier  of  Queen  Elizabeth's,  and  how  he  was 
changed  upon  coming  in  of  the  King,  did  please  me  mightily,  and 
I  did  cause  W.  Hewer  to  write  it  out.  Then  comes  the  reckoning 
(forced  to  change  gold),  is.  'jd.,  servants  and  poor,  xs.  6d.  So 
out  and  lost  our  way,  but  come  into  it  again,  and  in  the  evening 
betimes  came  to  Reading." 

Pearce  and  Coxedd's  Charities,  1671,  &c. 

Thomas  Pearce,  a  clothier,  by  will  dated  August  8, 
1671,  endowed  two  almshouses  at  West  Mills  for  two  de- 
cayed weavers,  such  as  were  free  of  the  Weavers'  Com- 
pany, "  of  honest  life  and  good  manners."  The  income  is 
derived  from  land  and  houses  at  Newbury,  Westbrook,  and 
Benham. 

Francis  Coxedd,  by  will  dated  November  18,  1690, 
devised  unto  certain  trustees  two  tenements  at  West  Mills, 
then  in  possession  of  his  two  almsmen,  and  all  that  his 
messuage  and  land  situate  in  the  parishes  of  Shaw  and 
Thatcham,  and  also  two  acres  of  meadow  ground  in  the 
West  Field  of  Newbury,  upon  trust  to  permit  the  two 
tenements  at  West  Mills  to  be  used  as  an  almshouse  for 
the  dwelling  of  two  honest  and  religious  poor  men  of 
Newbury,  being  of  the  age  of  60  years  and  upwards,  with 
an  allowance  for  clothing  and  fuel.  He  also  devised  two 
messuages  in  Bartholomew-street,  Newbury,  to  his  trus- 
tees, to  dispose  of  the  same ;  and  with  the  money  thereby 
raised,  together  with  the  residue  of  his  personal  estate  (his 
,  debts  and  funeral  expenses  being  first  discharged)  to  pur- 

U  2 


292  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

chase  lands,  the  yearly  profits  to  be  applied  first  for  the 
maintenance  of  the  almsmen  and  repairs,  and  the  surplus 
income  to  be  applied  in  the  education  of  such  poor 
children  in  the  town  as  his  trustees  may  think  fit. 

A  new  scheme  for  the  administration  of  these  charities 
has  been  established  by  the  Charity  Commissioners. 

Presentments  of  the  Court  Leet,  1671-77. 

"  Item,  wee  order  that  noe  person  shall  goe  into  any  Stable 
within  this  Burrough  with  a  candle  without  a  lanthorn,  neither 
with  a  pipe  of  tobacco  lighted,  which  if  any  person  be  found 
contrary  to  this  order  either  hee  or  shee  shall  iforfeit  five 
shillings. 

"  Item,  wee  do  order  that  Every  Tithing  man  within  this 
Burrough  once  in  every  ffifteenth  Day  or  dayes  Make  Diligent 
search  within  his  Tithinge  what  strangers  are  there,  and  give  a 
true  accompt  to  Mr.  Maior,  under  their  hands  in  wrightinge,  and 
if  any  of  them  shall  neglect  to  obey  this  order,  for  every  such 
neglect  shall  forfeit  Two  shillings  and  Six  pence  to  the  use  of  the 
poore." 

"  Item,  we  ordeyn  that  no  Landlord,  leaseholder  or  house- 
holder, within  this  Burrough  shall  entertayne  any  stranger  or 
inmate  in  theire  houses  to  dwell  unless  first  security  be  given  to 
the  Churchwardens  and  Overseers  of  the  poore,  and  in  case  any 
person  shall  offend  either  hee  or  shee  shall  fforfeit  for  every  such 
offence  to  the  use  of  the  poore  twentie  shillings  a  month." 

At  the  Court  held  in  1677  the  following  persons  were 
fined  five  shillings  each  for  this  offence  : — Richard  Basing, 
Richard  Hatt,  Samuel  Clark,  and  Valerius  Wimbolt. 

The  stranger,  or  foreigner,  as  he  is  sometimes  called, 
was  not  necessarily,  or  indeed  generally,  a  foreign  subject, 
but  one  who  did  not  live  within  the  town  liberties,  and 
these  restrictions  were,  primarily,  to  guard  against  the 
stranger  or  his  family  becoming  chargeable  to  the  parish, 
and  as  a  precaution  against  the  harbouring  of  Jesuits  and 
unknown  persons  within  the  borough  precincts.  Further, 
as  the  town  was  suffering  to  a  great  extent  from  the 
decline  of  the  clothing  trade,  and  the  consequent  unem- 
ployment of  a  large  part  of  its  skilled  labour,  it  was  con- 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  293 

sidered  by  the  authorities  that  the  stranger  being  without 
a  permanent  dwelling,  and  not  strictly  localised,  it  was 
unfair  that  he  be  preferred  to  the  settled  householder, 
who  contributed  to  the  local  burdens,  and  was  therefore 
entitled  to  especial  consideration  and  protection. 

We  have  a  further  instance  of  this  restraint  in  the  fol- 
lowing order  of  the  Court  of  Sessions  in  1677  : — 

"Ordered  that  noe  Clothier,  Clothworker,  Sergemaker,  or 
Comber,  Inkeeper,  Ale  House  Keeper  or  Victualler,  nor  other 
Inhabitant  whatsoever  within  this  Burrough  doe  from  henceforth 
receive  any  Stranger  into  his  or  her  House  to  Lodge  there,  nor 
doe  sett  any  Stranger  to  work,  though  hee  or  shee  doe  not  Lodge 
such  Stranger,  upon  payne  of  every  one  offending  or  doeing  the 
contrary  after  the  publication  of  this  order  in  the  Streetes  to 
forfeite  for  every  tyme  xxj-.,  unlesse  hee  or  shee  give  sufficient 
security  to  the  Churchwardens  and  Overseers,  within  seaven  dayes 
next  after  hee  or  shee  shall  entertayne  or  receive  any  such 
stranger  into  his  or  her  house,  or  sett  any  such  stranger  to  work 
for  the  discharge  of  the  parish  against  any  such  strangers." 

Raymond's  Charity,  1676,  &c. 

Philip  Jemmett,  of  London,  erected  in  his  lifetime 
twelve  almshouses  in  Newbury,  and  devised  the  same  by 
will,  dated  January  23,  1676,  to  his  grandson  Jemmett 
Raymond,  upon  trust  to  permit  the  same  to  be  occupied 
by  twelve  poor  persons  to  be  nominated  by  the  said 
Jemmett  Raymond  and  his  heirs.  He  further  bequeathed 
£6(X)  to  his  son-in-law.  Sir  Jonathan  Raymond,  upon 
trust  to  lay  out  the  same  in  the  purchase  of  land  for 
augmenting  the  stipends  of  the  almspeople.  Lady  Ray- 
mond, by  will  dated  March  26,  1709,  bequeathed  the  sum 
of  £ipo  for  increasing  the  stipends  of  the  twelve  alms- 
people.  The  number  of  almspeople  at  present  connected 
with  this  Charity  is  twenty-two,  eleven  of  each  sex. 

The  approximate  annual  income  of  this  Charity  is 
£S37>  of  which  £426  is  derived  from  Tithe  rent-charge 
issuing  out  of  lands  at  Kintbury,  and  from  real  property 
at  Newbury  and  Speen,  the  remaining  .^11 1  being  derived 


294  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

from  dividends  on  ;^3,720  in  Consols  and  New  Three  per 
Cents. 

Disfranchisement  of  Members  of  the  Cor- 
poration, 1676,  &c. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  mayor,  aldermen,  and  burgesses, 
held  on  March  7,  1676,  George  Cawarden,  Thomas  Stock- 
well,  Thomas  Gray,  Anthony  Gray,  Humphrey  Cowslade, 
and  Thomas  Nash,  freemen  and  members  of  the  Cor- 
poration, "  for  sundry  weighty  reasons,"  were  "  totally 
disfranchised  and  deprived  of  all  manner  of  ffreedom  of 
exercising  of  any  trades  and  occupations  "  within  the  said 
borough.  But  by  a  subsequent  Order  they  were  restored 
"  to  their  former  ffranchises  and  fifreedoms,"  and  re-admitted 
members  of  the  Corporation. 

In  the  year  1677,  also,  Mr.  Richard  Pococke  was  dis- 
franchised and  expelled  the  Corporation,  by  sixteen  votes 
to  two.  ' 

The  State  of  the  Streets,  1677,  &c. 

The  execrable  condition  of  the  streets  of  the  town  in 
the  seventeenth  century  can  be  gathered  from  the  constant 
presentations  for  offences  against  the  wholesome  rules 
ordered  by  the  Court  Leet  juries,  and  the  enforcement  of 
the  fines  levied  for  violations  of  the  by-laws.  Yet,  not- 
withstanding these  well-directed  efforts  of  the  authorities, 
the  streets  and  ways  remained  in  a  filthy  and  ruinous 
state,  from  the  negligent  manner  in  which  they  were 
generally  repaired.  Each  inhabitant  was  compelled  to 
keep  in  repair  so  much  of  the  pitching  before  his  house  as 
extended  from  his  door  to  the  kennel  or  ditch  which 
served  for  all  drainage  purposes.  But  as  every  householder 
followed  his  own  fancy  as  to  how  he  should  keep  his 
allotted  space  in  repair,  the  consequence  was  that  this 
divided  responsibility  produced  much  inconvenience  and 
annoyance  to  the  general  public,  as  well  as  being 
dangerous,  and  rendering  the  streets  well-nigh  impassable 
at  night  from,  the  posts,  rails,  trees,  sign-posts,  upping- 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  .  255 

stocks,  and  other  obstructions  which  abounded  on  either 
side. 

To  remedy  some  of  these  inconveniences  the  following 
Order  was  made  at  the  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  held 
October  8,  1677  : — 

"  Att  this  Court  it  is  ordered  that  every  Inhabitant  within  this 
Burrough  shall  from  tyme  to  tyme  from  henceforth  well  and 
sufficiently  repair  and  pave  and  keep  repaired  and  paved  their 
respective  parts  of  the  pavements,  streetes,  and  Highwayes  in  all 
the  three  cheife  streetes  in  this  Burrough.  That  is  to  say,  Cheap 
Street,  Northbrook  Street,  and  Bartholomew  Street,  see  farr  as 
their  respective  messB',  Howses,  Lands,  or  Tenem**  in  their 
respective  occupations  full  six  foot  from  their  tespective  mes- 
suages towards  the  middle  of  the  sd  streetes,  where  the  sd 
streetes  are.  of  twelve  foot  wide  or  upwards.  And  that  the  middle 
part  of  the  sd  streetes,  pavem*^,  and  highwayes  between  the  sd 
six  ffoote  on  each  side,  shall  be  always  hereafter  repaired  from 
tyme  to  t)rme  as  often  as  there  shall  bee  occasion  by  the  Surveyors 
of  the  same  respective  streetes  for  the  tyme  beinge,  who  shall 
have  power  from  tyme  to  tyme  to  make  Rates  for  the  raysing  of 
moneys  for  defraying  of  the  charges  of  the  same  Repairs  on  all 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  parish  of  Newbury  aforesaid,  payinge 
Rates  to  the  poore,  and  according  to  the  forme  of  the  statute  in 
that  case  made  and  provided.  And  for  any  defect  in  the  execu- 
tion of  this  order,  the  Surveyors  for  the  tyme  being  where  such 
defect  shall  be  suffered  shall  and  may  be  presentable  att  any 
Court  Leet  or  Court  of  Sessions  to  bee  held  for  this  Burrough  and 
ffineable  for  the  same." 

"And  this  Court  does  choose  and  order  Mr.  Levy  Smyth  and 
Mr.  ffrancis  Cox  Surveyors  for  Cheap  Streete,  Mr.  Benjamin  Avery 
and  Mr.  William  Houghton  for  Bartholomew  Streete,  Mr.  Thomas 
Cowslade  and  Mr.  Joseph  Pearse  for  Northbrooke  Streete,  for  the 
yeere  now  next  ensuing." 

The  said  Order  was  confirmed  by  the  Mayor  and  Cor- 
poration at  a  meeting  of  that  body  in  the  Council  Chamber 
of  the  "  Hospital,"  on  January  28,  1678,  and  twenty 
pounds  ordered  to  be  taken  out  of  the  town  stock  for  the 
purchase  of  stones  and  other  necessary  material  for 
carrying  out  the  prescribed  work. 


296 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 


It  was  further  ordered  "  that  ffifty  shillings  be  raysed 
and  added  to  the  Towne  order  for  the  pitching  the  streets, 
to  be  layd  out  by  the  same  Surveyor  in  speedy  making  a 
brick  bridge  att  Black  streame." 

In  1678  an  order  was  made  "  that  all  people  who  have 
Waggons,  or  Carts,  or  Blocks  at  their  fore  doors  in  the 
night  shall  hang  a  lanthorne  and  candle  at  their  doors  till 
tenn  of  the  clock  at  night,  or  else  they  shall  forfeit  xij^. 
for  every  neglect." 


Extracts  from  the  Chamberlains'  Accounts, 
1672 — 1680. 

Michaelmas^  1672,  to  Michaelmas,  1673.  ;Q  s.     d. 

Pd.  to  Mr.  Steward '  his  Sallary  to  Mich'  half  yeere  "  04  00  00 

Pd.  for  two  Saddles  to  Thomas  Gray      .         .         .  01   14  00 

Pd.  for  making  Clothes  for  the  Liverymen      .         .  01  08  00 

Pd.  Stratton  for  mending  a  hole  in  the  Bridge         .  00  03  00 

Pd.  Mr.  Thomas  Paradise  for  a  Barrell  of  Beare      .  00  13  00 

Pd.  for  Skouring  the  River     .         .         .         .         .  05  04  01 

Pd.  Thomas  Hawkins  for  Wyne     .         .         .         .  01  04  00 

Micks.  1674,  to  Michs.  1675. 

Pd.  Mr.  Symeon  the  Scholemaster™       .         .         .       12  00  00 
Pd.  Mrs.  Weekes  for  Wyne  when  Sir  Wm.  Craven  and 

the  Company  mett  about  Stowerses  business  °         00  12  00 
Pd.  more  to  Mrs.  Weekes  for  Wyne  at  Law  Day " 
and  Sessions,  and  when  Sir  William  Craven  and 
Mr.  Kingsmill  met  about  Stowerses  business  .         00  01  04 

Michs.  16^6,  to  Mich.  1677. 

Pd.  Mr.  Abraham  Stockwell,  last  Mayor,  allowed 
to  his  kitchen  for  the  yeere  ending  St.  Mat- 
thew's Day  last 40  00  00 

Pd.  more  to  Mr,  Garrard,  his  salary  as  Towne  Gierke, 

for  the  yeere  ending  at  St.  Matthew's  Day  last.       02  00  00 

'  The  Recorder,  or  Deputy-Steward.  The  salary  attached  to  this  office 
was  £%  a  year. 

^  The  Master  of  the  Grammar  School. 

°  Respecting  rights  of  fishing  in  the  Kennet.  Stowers  was  probably  a 
tenant  or  owner  of  Mill  property.  The  name  occurs  as  tenants  of  Greenham 
Mills  in  1539-40. 

°  Law  Day,  i.e.  the  day  for  holding  the  Court  Leet. 


Newbury  in  tlte  Seventce?ith  Century.  297 

Pd.  to  William  Stockwell,  late  Mayor,  wh""'  he  pd.  to       £  s.     d. 
Justice  Howes  for  the  share  of  his  Commission 
as  Associate  Justice 04  00  00 

Pd.  Mr.  Wilson,  by  order  of  Mr.  Stockwell,  May', 
which  was  given  to  the  Ringers  when  the 
Queen  passed  by  P  .         .         .        .         .         .       01  00  00 

Michs.  1677,  to  Michs.  1678. 

Pd.  for  a  Barrell  of  Beere 00  14  00 

ffor  Pipes  and  Tobackoe        .         .         .         .         .  00  01  00 

Pd.  Mr.  Mayor  towards  his  allowance  to  his  kitchen  20  00  00 

Pd.  for  Wyne  drunk  at  the  Mearemayde  .         .  00  09  00 

ffor  the  Boate  bought  of  Goodman  Greene      .         .  06  10  00 

Michs.  1678,  to  Michs.  1679. 

Jan.  14.  Pd.  at  the  Globe  by  order  of  Mr.  Mayor, 
Mr.  Smith,  and  others,  which  was  spent  on  Sir 
William  Craven  about  choosing  an  Assistant 

Sergeant 00  11  00 

Feb.  II  to  17.     Pd.  Nicholas  Moore  for  his  journey 

to  London  to  advise  prosecuting  the  Towne  of 

Wincalton  '*  for   returning   of  White,  his  wife 

and  children  to  us,  being  vagrants  .         .         .       02  16  00 

March  6.  Pd.  Mr.  Gunter,  which  he  layd   out  to 

Counsell  on  that  busines  .         .         .         .       01  05  00 

March  7.     Pd.  Wm.  Steward  for  his  journey  to  Win- 
calton to  give  notice  of  motion  at  next  Assizes       00  09  00 
Pd.  more  to  Wm.  Steward  and  the  Vagrant  for  to 

beare  their  charges  to  the  Assizes  for  Order     .       00  08  06 
For  drawing  Breafe  for  our  Counsell  and  copies  .       00  05  00 
To  Sergeant  Holt '  and  Mr.  Medlycott        .         .       02  00  00 
To  Mr.  Babington  for  ffees  of  Court,  and  drawing 
and  entering  up  the  Jury  p'  order,  and  copy 

thereof  . 00  08  00 

For  travelling  and  attending  the  Assizes,  being  out 

three  dayes 00  16  00 

Aug.  Pd.  Nicholas  Moore,  being  sent  by  Mr. 
Mayor  to  Abingdon  at  the  late  election  of  Par- 
liament men   .         .         .         .         .         .         .       00  02  00 

P  Catherine  of  Braganza,  Queen  of  Charles  II. 

1  Wincanton,  Somerset. 

'  Afterwards  Chief  Justice  of  the  King's  Bench. 


298  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century, 

Pd.  Edward  Weekes'  Bill  for  the  Wyne  sent  to  the       £  s.     d. 
Country  Justices  att  Michs.   and  Easter  Ses- 
sions, and  at  the  Court  Leet  and  other  tymes  .       01  07  06 

Pd.  Mr.  Gunter,  Deputy  Steward,  his  Salary  allow'd 

for  Michs.  halfe  yeere 04  00  00 

Pd.  Mr.  Paradise,  Mayor,  his  halfe  yeer's  allowance 

from  Mich.  '78 20  00  00 

Michs.  iG^^,  to  Michs.  1680, 
Pd.  Henry  Dadmarsh  for  mending  the  Pounde  in 

the  Marish 00  11  00 

Pd.  Wm.  Payne  for  tymber  for  the  Bridge       .         .       02  02  00 
Pd.  to  Mr.  Mayor  &  Mr.  Justice  for  conveying  up  a 

Jesuit  to  the  Kinge  and  Councell' .  .  .  01  00  00 
Pd.  Henry  Chadsey  for  Wyne  and  for  Mr.  Gunter's 

and  Mr.  Ralfe  Bayley's  dinners  .  .  .  00  13  00 
Pd.  Mr.  Gunter's  Salary  to  Lady  Day  .  .  .  04  00  00 
Pd.  to  Mr.  Mayor's  sonn  by  order,  upon  Sir  Thomas 

Dolman's     sending     for     John     Merriman's 

daughter         .         .         .         .         .         .         .       01  00  00 

Pd.  Wm.  Payne  for  setting  up  a  Scaffold  to  paint 

the  King's  Arms  and  Dyall  .  .  .  .  00  04  06 
Pd.  Wm.  Payne  for  making  and  painting  the  King's 

Amies,  and  Dyall'  .         .         .         .         .       05  00  00 

Commitment  of  Quakers,  1683. 

The  following  entry  in  the  Sessions  Journal  may  ex- 
plain the  apparent  laxity  in  punishing  offenders  against 
the  Statute  for  not  attending  the  authorised  places  of 
worship : — 

"  A  general  Rule  made  in  the  Court  of  King's  Bench  on 

Thursday  next  after  Eight  Day  as  of  St.  Martin,  Anno  36'" 

Carloi  secundi  Regis  (1681). 

"  This  Court  taking  notice  that  the  Clerk  of  the  Peace,  and 

the  Comon  Clerks  of  severall  Cities,  Towns,   and   Burroughs 

'  The  penal  laws  against  the  subtle  Jesuits  were  in  force  at  this  time. 
Every  Jesuit  who  set  foot  in  this  country  was  liable  to  be  hanged,  drawn,  and 
quartered.  A  reward  of  ;!f  100  was  offered  for  his  detection.  Whoever  was 
suspected  of  being  a  Jesuit  might  be  interrogated,  and,  if  he  refused  to  an- 
swer, might  be  sent  to  prison  for  life. 

'  Clock. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  299 

within  this  kingdom  have  neglected  the  duties  of  their  severall 
offices  in  extracting  into  the  Court  of  Exchequer  the  names  of 
such  psons  who  have  been  indycted  for  absenting  themselves 
from  Church,  having  neglected  to  cause  proclamation  to  be 
made  according  to  the  forms  of  the  statute  for  convicting  of  such 
offenders,  but  for  their  private  advantage  issued  forth  proces  of 
Capias,  and  so  contynue  the  same  ad  infinitum.  It  is  ordered 
That  at  every  generall  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  to  be  held 
within  this  kingdom  Proclamation  be  made  for  such  Offenders 
rendering  their  Bodyes  as  hath  been  anciently  accustomd,  and 
in  default  of  rendering  their  Bodies,  that  the  said  Clerks  of  the 
Peace  and  Comon  Clerks,  doe  duly  at  the  next  Sessions  fol- 
lowing extract  their  names  into  the  Exchequer.  And  the  sd 
Clerks  of  the  Peace  and  Comon  Clerks  are  hereby  required  at 
their  perill  to  enforce  the  same.  And  it  is  ordered  that  the 
Justices  of  the  Peace  take  care  that  the  Law  in  this  case  pro- 
vided shall  be  duly  put  in  execution. 

"  By  the  Court." 

This  mandate  appears  to  have  had  the  desired  effect  on 
the  Newbury  Court,  as  at  the  next  Sessions  the  names  of 
the  Quakers  formerly  imprisoned  were  called  over,  and  so 
many  of  them  as  appeared  were  remanded  to  the  Town 
prison  into  the  custody  of  John  Dandridge,  Sergeant. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  those  who  appeared  : — 

Robert  Wilson,  Joseph  Gray, 

Thomas  Marshe,  Benj.  Gray, 

Richd.  Browne,  Wm.  Tovey, 

John  Gray,  John  Waterman, 

John  Johns,  Wm.  Mills,  jun. 

Robt.  Johns,  Robert  Cox, 

John  Plant,  jun.  Edward  Avelyn, 

Edw.  Mills,  Thos.  Johns. 

At  a  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  held  in  1683  the 
following  eighteen  Quakers  were  called,  and  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  read  and  tendered  to  them,  and  they  all 
severally  refused  it,  viz. : — 

Edward  Mills,  Tho.  Marshe, 

Joseph  Gray,  [This  made  the         Willm.  Tovey, 
Benja"  Gray,  •'second tender.         John  Johns, 


300  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

John  Waterman,  Robt.  Wilson, 

William  Mills,  jun.  John  Stronge, 

Robert  Cox,  Joseph  Styles, 

Edw.  Avelyn,  Richard  Browne, 

Thomas  Johns,  John  Gray, 

Robt.  Johns,  John  Plant,  jun. 

After  this  tender  they  were  re-committed  to  the  custody 
of  John  Dandridge,  keeper  of  the  Borough  prison,  who 
was  bound  over  in  the  sum  oi  £\o  each  for  their  appear- 
ance, together  with  several  other  persons  following,  all 
being  Quakers  and  refusers  of  the  oath,  at  the  next  Ses- 
sions, viz. : — Prudence,  wife  of  John  Stronge,  Maria,  wife 
of  Robert  Wilson,  Bridgett  Stephens,  spinster,  Sarra,  wife 
of  Joseph  Gray,  Eliz.  Knight,  spinster,  Marion,  wife  of 
Edward  Mills,  Anna  Hutchins,  spinster,  Eliz.  Webb,  spin- 
ster, Eliz.,  wife  of  Richard  Browne,  Anna,  wife  of  Thomas 
Hyne,  senior. 

Thos.  Hyne,  jun.,  of  Shaw,  tanner,  was  bound  over  with 
his  surety,  Thos.  Pearce,  weaver,  in  the  sum  of  £\o  to 
appear  at  the  same  time,  and  Edward  Crosby,  clothworker, 
was  bound  over  in  the  sum  of  ;^io  for  the  appearance  of 
Mary,  wife  of  Robt.  Gosling,  at  the  same  Sessions. 

At  the  next  Sessions  true  bills  were  found  against  the 
eleven  following  persons,  and  Mr.  Wm.  Pearse  and  Mr. 
Wm.  Paradise  became  sureties,  in  the  sum  of  ;^io  each, 
that  the  accused  would  appear  and  answer  the  indictment 
preferred  against  them  at  the  next  sitting  of  the  Court : — 


I. 

Prudence  Stronge. 

7- 

Anna  Hutchins. 

2. 

Maria,    wife    of    Robert 

8. 

Eliz.  Webb. 

Wilson. 

9- 

Eliz.,  wife  of  Ric.  Browne. 

3- 

Bridget  Stephens. 

10. 

Anna,  wife  of  The.  Hyne, 

4- 

Sara,  wife  of  Jos.  Gray. 

sen. 

5- 

Eliz.  Knight. 

11. 

Tho.  Hyne,  jun. 

6. 

Maria,  wifeofEdwardMills. 

The  Prison,  1683. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  November,  1683,  it  was  ordered 
that  a  common  prison  should  be  built  at  the  charge  of 
the  Corporation,  in  accordaiice  with  a  resolution  passed 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  301 

at  the  General  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  the 
Borough.  The  said  prison  to  be  built  at  the  east  side 
of  the  Guildhall,  and  to  consist  of  two  rooms  and  garretts 
over  them,  27  ft.  +  16  ft,  and  to  be  set  upon  pillars,  so 
that  there  may  be  butchers'  stalls  underneath,  in  accord- 
ance with  a  plan  submitted.  The  Guildhall  at  this  time, 
and  until  the  year  1828,  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  Market- 
place, when  it  was  taken  down. 

Religious  Observances,  1684. 

The  following  order  appears  in  the  records  of  the  Court 
held  in  April,  1684  : — 

"  Alsoe  that  Anne  Hodson,  widdow,  &  Thomas  fflaggott,  their 
several  Alehouses  be  suppressed,  for  that  they  nor  either  of 
them  have  received  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  Accord- 
ing to  the  Liturgie  of  the  Church  of  England  within  xij  months 
past" 

Riot  at  Newbury,  1684. 

At  the  Court  held  in  July,  1684,  it  was  ordered — 
"that  Sackvile  Turner,  Thomas  Shepherd,  Jonathan  fifarding, 
John  Bane,  Thomas  Howell,  and  John  Tubb  be  committed  to 
the  Towne  prison,  to  the  custody  of  John  Dandridge,  keeper  of 
the  said  prison,  for  that  they  and  every  of  them  being  now  con- 
victed by  the  grand  jury  for  committing  a  heynous  Ryott  within 
this  Burrough,  Whereunto  they  came  all  of  them  (save  Howell) 
pleaded  not  guilty,  but  doe  give  noe  security  to  this  Court  for 
prosecuting  their  several  traverses  at  the  next  sessions,  therefore 
this  Court  do  commit  them  to  prison  as  afores''  untill  they  shall 
be  thence  delivered  by  due  course  of  Law." 

The  prisoners  were  subsequently  discharged  on  the  pay- 
ment of  a  fine  of  6s.  8d.  each. 

Attendance  at  Church,  1684. 

The  neglect  of  attendance  at  divine  service  was  noticed 
by  the  Court  in  October,  1684,  when  the  retiring  Con- 
stable, Mr.  Francis  Cox,  made  the  following  present- 
ment : — 

"  I  present  Willm  White,  Grocer,  &  his  wife,  Robert  Gosling, 
jun.,  &  Mary  his  wife,  John  Hill,  Grocer,  &  his  wife,  Samuel 


302  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Gibbs  &  his  wife,  John  Malford  &  his  wife,  Widdow  Chyld, 
Brazier,  Matthew  Hill,  Taylor,  Richard  Hutchins,  junior,  Richard 
ffinch.  Prudence,  wife  of  John  Strong,  Mary,  wife  of  Robert 
Wilson,  Hannah  Hutchins,  Elizabeth  Knight,  Bridget  Stephens, 
Ann  Hodson,  widdow,  Sarah,  wife  of  Joseph  Gray,  Margery 
Johns,  Mary  Batt,  and  Alice  Brooker,  ffor  not  repairing  to  the 
Parish  Church  of  Newbery  to  heare  Divine  Service  and  Sermon 
upon  the  two  last  Lord's  Dayes  com'only  called  Sunday,  vizt. 
the  sth  and  12th  Dayes  of  this  instant  October." 

These  offenders  consisted  principally  of  the  Quakers 
who  were  committed  at  a  previous  Sessions  for  refusing  to 
take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  but  we  do  not  find  any  con- 
viction recorded  against  them. 

Renewal  of  Charter,  1684. 

In  November,  1684,  it  was  ordered  that  the  Charter 
be  renewed,  and  that  a  petition  for  new  privileges  be 
drawn  up  by  Mr.  Thomas  Gunter,  the  Recorder,  and  Mr. 
Garrard,  the  Town  Clerk,  who  were  deputed  "  to  Sollicit 
this  Busines  for  us  at  London,"  and  to  be  recompensed 
with  "  reasonable  satisfaction  of  their  labour  and 
paynes  to  be  taken  therein."  It  was  further  ordered 
that  Mr.  Francis  Cox  "be  joyned  with  Mr.  Gunter  and 
Mr.  Garrard  to  assist  them  in  soliciting  this  busines  of 
renewing  our  Charter ;  and  that  the  Chamberlayne  do 
pay  them  Ten  pounds  in  hand  towards  bearing  the 
charges  thereof." 

Church  Estate,  1684. 

On  December  16,  1684,  it  was  ordered  that  in  pursu- 
ance of  a  decree  made  in  the  time  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
by  the  Commissioners  for  Charitable  Uses,  by  virtue  of  a 
Commission  issued  out  of  the  High  Court  of  Chancery,  the 
Churchwardens  should  not  lease  any  Church  lands  with- 
out the  consent  of  the  Mayor  and  Corporation,  according 
to  the  terms  of  the  said  Decree. 

Expulsion  of  Mr.  Cawarden,  1684. 
At  a  meeting  held  on  the  following  19th  of  December, 
Mr.  John  Garden  (Cawarden),  the  elder,  was  expelled  the 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  303 

Corporation  "  for  severall  Breaches  of  Trust,  and  for  re- 
fusing to  attend  this  Company  when  he  was  Lawfully 
summoned." 

Unlawful  Assembly  of  Quakers,  1685. 

At  the  Court  held  in  January,  1685,  Thomas  Hyne, 
jun.,  and  ten  women  were  indicted  for  unlawfully  assem- 
bling for  religious  worship,  and  being  found  guilty  it  was 
ordered  that  Mr.  Mayor  and  the  Associate  Justices  send 
for  them  by  warrant ". 

Loan  for  New  Charter,  1685. 

On  February  6,  1685,  it  was  agreed  that  the  sum  of 
one  hundred  pounds  be  borrowed  by  this  Company  out 
of  Mr.  Kendrick's  moneys  to  beare  the  charges  of  the  New 
Charter, — 

"  And  wee  doe  all  and  every  one  of  us  for  us  and  our  successors 
Covenant  and  Promise  to  repay  the  same  one  hundred  pounds 
with  Interest  after  the  rate  of  £^  per  cente  out  of  our  Towne 
rents  &  Towne  Revenues  assone  as  possibly  the  same  can  or 
may  be  raised." 

The  new  charter  having  been  obtained,  the  Mayor, 
Aldermen,  Burgesses,  and  the  officers  of  the  Corporation, 
subscribed  to  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy,  Sir 
Anthony  Craven  being  High  Steward,  and  Church  Sim- 
mons, Mayor. 

Appointment  of  Associate  Justice,  1685. 

John  Wightwick,  Esq.,  was  appointed  Associate  Justice 
of  the  Borough,  June  17,  1685. 

Ceremonies,  1685. 

At  a  meeting  held  June  25,  1685,  it  was  agreed  upon 
mutually  by  the  members  of  the  Corporation, — 

"  That  upon  the  ffeast  dayes  of  Christmas,  Easter,  and  Whitsun- 
tide, the  Aldermen  &  cheife  Burgesses  of  this  Burrough  doe  first 

"  The  Quakers  had  a  small  meeting-house  near  Bartholomew-street,  which 
has  now  for  some  time  been  converted  to  other  purposes.  Their  burial- 
ground,  a  small  enclosed  grave-yard,  is  in  Mayor's-lane,  at  the  rear  of  the 
new  Cattle  Market. 


304  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

meete  in  or  under  the  Guildhall,  and  from  thence  do  repayre  to 
the  Mayor's  house,  and  from  thence  attend  him  to  the  parish 
Church,  and  from  thence  home  againe  from  Church  to  the 
Mayor's  house,  And  so  meete  againe  at  the  Mayor's  house  the 
next  morning  after  every  of  the  said  three  ffeast  dayes,  and  then 
alsoe  to  accompany  Mr.  Mayor  to  Church  from  his  house,  taking 
first  the  accustomed  entertainment." 


Mr.  Kingsmill  sworn  Justice,  1685. 

John  Kingsmill,  of  Sandleford,  Esq.,  took  the  Oath  of 
Supremacy,  and  after  that  the  oath  of  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  the  Borough,  before  Mr.  Church  Simmons, 
Mayor,  and  Mr.  Paradise,  Justice,  July  17,  1685. 

Shops  in  Newburv,  1685. 

An  Order  was  made  by  the  Corporation  at  the  annual 
meeting  on  September  21,  1885, — 

"  That  the  Mayor  for  the  time  being  shall  and  may  in  the  name 
of  this  Corporation  distrayne  the  goods  of  every  Shopmaker  that 
hath  refused  or  hereafter  may  and  shall  refuse  to  pay  6j.  2>d.  at 
the  first  opening  of  their  shopps,  and  leavy  13^'.  4^/.  of  every  such 
offender's  Goods  according  to  the  By  lawes  of  this  Corporation." 

This  appears  to  have  been  the  period  when  the  ancient 
shops,  with  their  wooden  penthouses  and  open  railings 
which  enclosed  the  articles  exposed  for  sale,  were  super- 
seded by  shop-fronts  enclosed  by  glazed  windows,  or  with 
open  fronts  closed  at  night  by  shutters.  The  Chamber- 
lains' accounts  at  this  date  shew  that  a  large  number  of 
quit-rents  were  created  by  the  projection  of  these  shops 
over  the  unpaved  footways,  above  which  were  suspended 
the  ponderous  signs,  with  their  massive  iron  frameworks, 
distinguishing  the  business  of  the  shopkeepers. 

Absence  from  Church,  1685. 

At  the  July  Sessions,  1685,  the  bill  of  indictment 
against  John  Hill,  Grocer,  and  ten  others  was  found  for 
being  absent  from  church. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  305 

Rights  of  Fishing,  1685. 

Frequent  disputes  appear  to  have  arisen  for  some  years 
previous  to  this  time  as  regards  the  right  of  fishing  in  the 
Kennet,  which  for  so  far  as  it  passed  through  the  borough 
was  claimed  by  the  Corporation  as  one  of  the  manorial 
rights.  After  many  discussions,  and  consultations  with 
Sir  William  Craven  and  others,  it  was  resolved  to  arrest 
John  Kellaway,  Thomas  Stowers,  and  Adam  Stowers,  for 
having  at  sundry  times  fished  in  the  waters  belonging  to 
the  Corporation,  and  Mr.  Latham,  Solicitor,  of  Newbury, 
was  instructed  to  prosecute. 

Allegiance  to  James  II.,  1685. 

The  following  entry  occurs  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Court 
Leet,  December,  1685,  1st  James  II. : — 

"  At  this  viewe  of  ffranc  Pledge  there  came  twoe  hundred  and 
three  p'sons  of  the  young^"'  sort  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Towne, 
and  all  of  them  swore  Resiancy  to  his  Majestie  that  now  is  and 
his  heires,  &c.     And  their  names  are  upon  the  file  of  papers.'' 

The  Duke  of  Monmouth's  Rebellion,  1686. 

The  following  has  reference  to  the  Rebellion  of  the 
unfortunate  Duke  of  Monmouth,  and  occurs  in  the  records 
of  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  held  in  August,  1686, 
before  George  Compton,  Mayor,  and  Church  Simmons, 
Justice : — 

"WilUam  Marshall,  for  being  in  the  late  Rebellion  in  the 
West  Countrey  in  the  year  1685,  is  comitted  to  prison  and 
ordered  to  be  sent  to  the  County  gaole  at  Reading." 

The  Oxford  Blues,  1686. 

In  January,  1686,  during  the  mayoralty  of  Mr.  Richard 
Cooper,  the  Corporation  decided  to  invite  the  officers  of 
the  Earl  of  Oxford's  troops,  quartered  in  the  town,  to  a 
dinner  with  the  members  of  the  Corporation.  The  amount 
to  be  spent  out  of  the  borough  funds  for  the  entertain- 
ment not  to  exceed  the  sum  of  five  pounds. 

X 


3o6  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

This  was  the  regiment  of  Oxford  Blues,  or  Royal  Horse 
Guards,  raised  shortly  after  the  Restoration.  Their  first 
muster  took  place  February  i6,  1 660-1,  in  Tothill  Fields, 
Westminster  ;  and  the  name  was  derived  from  that  of  their 
commander,  Aubrey  de  Vere,  Earl  of  Oxford,  in  whom 
closed  the  longest  and  most  illustrious  line  of  nobles  that 
England  has  ever  seen.  Cosmo  the  Third,  Grand  Duke 
of  Tuscany,  in  alluding  to  this  corps,  states  that  the 
regiment  consisted  of  eight  troops  of  seventy  men,  and 
that  in  each  troop  the  Colonel  had  the  privilege  of  keep- 
ing two  places  vacant,  and  of  appropriating  the  emolu- 
ments to  himself,  which  amounted  to  more  than  fourteen 
pounds  sterling  a  week.  "  The  officers,"  he  says,  "  wear 
a  red  sash  with  gold  tassells,  and  they  receive  as  pay  half 
a  ducat  a  day\" 


The  Taylors'  Company,  1686. 

The  following  resolution  appears  in  the  Journal  of  the 
Corporation  under  the  date  of  1686  : — 

"  Whereas  by  the  ancient  Bylawes  and  Ordinances  granted 

unto  this  Burrough  in  the yeare  of  the  Reigne  of  the  late 

Queene  Elizabeth  It  was  amongst  other  things  ordered  that  the 
Taylors  of  this  Burrough  should  be  incorporated  into  and 
amongst  the  Clothiers  of  this  Burrough,  And  whereas  it  is  now 
ordered  that  from  henceforth  it  will  be  most  convenient  for  the 
sd  Taylors  to  be  Incorporated  and  to  be  of  the  Company  of 
Clothworkers.  Therefore  we,  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Bur- 
gesses of  the  sd  Burrough,  whose  names  are  subscribed,  doe 
hereby  order,  ordeyne,  and  establish,  that  for  the  tyme  to  come 
he  sd  Taylors  bee,  and  they  are  hereby  incorporated  into  the 
sd  Company  of  Clothworkers. 

"  Geo.  Compton  (Mayor), 
and  others." 

'  "Travels  of  Cosmo  the  Third  through  England,  &c.  (1669),  translated 
from  the  Italian  MS.  in  the  Laurentian  Library  at  Florence,"  4to.,  London, 
1821,  p.  157. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  307 

The  Weavers'  Company,  1686. 

It  was  ordered  on  July  31,  1686,  "that  the  Charter  of 
Incorporation  be  shewed  Mr.  Joseph  Cowslade  (the  Re- 
corder) to  peruse,  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  up  a  new 
Charter  to  be  made  out  of  it  unto  the  Company  of  Cloth- 
workers  (Weavers),  and  Mr.  Justice  Simons  (Simmons) 
and  Mr.  Edward  Weekes  are  desired  to  be  present  whilst 
Mr.  Cowslade  peruses  it." 

The  Market  Cross  and  Hospital,  1686. 

•In  1686  the  leet  jury  and  court  baron  made  the  fol- 
lowing recommendation : — 

"  Item,  wee  request  the  Lords  of  the  said  Manner  to  repaire 
the  Market  Crosse  at  the  South  end  of  the  Guildhall,  and  the 
Stayres  at  Bridge  Street,  to  cleanse  the  river  between  the 
Hospitall  and  the  Marish,  and  to  Amend  the  pitching  in  the 
middle  of  each  street  leading  to  the  market." 

The  above  minute  very  clearly  establishes  the  position 
of  the  Market  Cross,  and  also  indicates  that  the  hospital 
stood  on  the  banks  of  the  Kennet,  opposite  the  Marsh,  as 
has  been  demonstrated  in  the  chapter  relating  to  the  siege 
of  the  Castle  of  Newbury  by  King  Stephen. 

King  James  II.  at  Newbury,  1686. 

King  James  II.  passed  through  Newbury  while  on  a 
progress  in  1686,  when  he  was  received  by  the  Mayor  and 
Corporation  in  all  their  "  formalities." 

Strangers  not  permitted  in  the  Town,  1687. 

Among  other  privileges  claimed  by  the  Corporation,  as 
we  have  before  noticed,  was  that  of  prohibiting  any 
stranger  exercising  his  trade  or  calling  in  the  town,  in  case 
he  or  his  family  might  become  legally  chargeable  to  the 
parish.  We  have  instances  of  the  enforcement  of  this 
regulation  at  the  July  Sessions,  1687  : — 

X  2 


3o8  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

"Whereas  William  Parker,  a  settled  Inhabitant  of  Speene, 
hath  lately  intruded  into  this  Borrough  ag'  Law,  and  sett  upp 
his  Trade  of  making  Chaires,  &c.  It  is  therefore  ordered  that 
he  returne  to  Speene,  and  the  Officers  are  to  remove  him  hither, 
onely  he  is  allowed  tyme  to  sell  and  dispose  of  his  goods  till 
Michas'  day  next  coming." 

Again,  the  same  year,  the  Court  orders : — 

"That  Matthew  White,  Bellowes-maker,  be  sent  to  Sarum, 
being  an  Intruder. 

"  That  John  Clement,  Scribler,  and  his  wife  and  childe,  be 
sent  to  ffreshford,  being  Intruders." 

Corporation  Apparel,  1687. 

The  Corporation  very  properly  paid  due  regard  to  the 
maintenance  of  the  customary  State,  and  to  the  apparel  of 
its  members,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  Order,  dated 
September  24,  1687  : — 

"  It  is  now  unanimously  agreed  upon  by  us,  and  between  the 
Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Burgesses  of  this  Corporation,  that  every 
one  of  the  sd  Burgesses  of  the  Corporation  shall  and  will  on  this 
syde,  and  before  Christmas  Day  next  coming,  provide  themselves 
gownes  with  velvet  Capes  onely,  and  noe  Loopes,  upon  payne  of 
every  one  neglecting  to  forfeit  v''  (^^5)  to  the  use  of  this  Com- 
pany." 

Here  follow  the  signatures. 

The  Mayor  summoned  before  the  Privy  Council, 

1687. 

By  the  Charter  of  Incorporation  four  annual  fairs  are  in- 
stituted, namely,  on  Ascension  Day,  on  Midsummer  Day, 
on  St.  Bartholomew's  Day,  and  on  the  Feast  of  SS.  Simon 
and  Jude  (October  28).  King  James  II.,  considering  that 
the  Mayor  in  1687,  Mr.  Francis  Cox,  was  not  sufficiently 
subservient  to  his  purposes,  ordered,  apparently  as  a  pre- 
text, a  "  Letter  of  Notice  "  to  be  sent  to  the  Mayor,  sum- 
moning him  to  attend  his  Majesty  and  his  Privy  Council 
"  to  shewe  cause  why  the  ancient  ffair  held  on  the  ffeast 
day    of    St.    Simon    and   Jude,    and   the  day   following 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  309 

should  not  be  continued  in  the  same  place  where  the  same 
was  formerly  accustomed."  It  was  thereupon  ordered 
"  that  Mr.  Mayor  doe  attend  the  sayd  Councell  and  defend 
this  ffaire,  that  it  may  be  continued  and  kept  in  our  Wash, 
where  it  hath  been  kept  for  these  two  yeeres  past,  And 
what  charges  he  shall  spend  and  disburse  in  the  Busines 
wee  doe  hereby  promise  to  Repay  him  upon  Demand  out 
of  the  Publick  Stock." 

A  committee  of  seven  Privy  Councillors  sat  at  White- 
hall for  the  purpose  of  "  regulating "  the  municipal  cor- 
porations, local  sub-committees  of  regulators  being  formed 
all  over  the  country  for  the  purpose  of  reporting  to  the 
central  board  at  Westminster  the  names  of  those  disposed 
or  otherwise  to  favour  the  "  Declaration  of  Indulgence," 
and  thus  indirectly  support  James's  policy  of  attempting 
the  restoration  of  the  Roman  Catholic  faith  as  the  religion 
of  the  country. 

The  Mayor  of  Newbury  duly  attended  the  Council 
Board,  and  was  no  doubt  considered  hostile  to  the  Court, 
as  well  as  several  other  members,  who  were  all  Churchmen 
and  Tories  to  a  man,  but  were  now  no  longer  devoted  to 
a  sovereign  who  attempted  to  deprive  them  of  their 
religious  freedom  and  chartered  liberties.  They,  as  firm 
supporters  of  constitutional  monarchy,  peremptorily  re- 
fused to  stoop  to  the  odious  service  of  supporting  a  king 
in  his  endeavour  to  subvert  the  best  interests  of  the 
country,  and  accordingly  suffered  the  "  glorious  disgrace  " 
of  being  expelled  the  Corporation,  as  will  be  seen  from 
the  following  entries  in  the  Journal : — 


Displacement  of  the  Mayor  and  Corporation, 
AND  Election  of  New  Members,  1687-8. 

"  Memorandum  this  twenty-fifth  day  of  January,  anno  Dm. 
1687-8,  in  obedience  to  his  Ma"  warrant,  dated  at  White  Hall 
the  14th  day  of  January  last  past,  wee  have  removed  ffrancis  Cox 
from  being  Mayor  and  Alderman  of  this  Towne,  Richard  Cooper 
from  being  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Alderman,  Joseph  Pearse, 
Church  Simmons,  and  Edward  Weekes  from  being  Aldermen, 


3IO  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

John  Waterman,  Richard  Howse,  Richard  ffeild,  Edward  Seele 
(Seeley),  and  Edward  Stewart  from  being  Com'on  Councell  Men 
of  this  Towne. 

"  And  in  further  obedience  to  the  sayd  Warrant  wee  doe  elect 
and  admit  John  Cooke,  senior.  Mayor  and  Alderman  of  this 
Towne  and  Burrough,  William  Hunt,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 
Alderman,  John  Hill,  Joseph  Head  and  Andrew  Blissett,  Alder- 
men, Thomas  Cowslade,  Thomas  Merriman,  Manasseth  Kinge, 
Joseph  Collins  and  Richard  Pearce,  Com'on  Councell  Men  of 
the  said  Towne  in  the  Rbome  of  the  Persons  above  mentioned. 

"  Thomas  Salter,  Justice, 
and  others." 


Displacement  of  the  Recorder  And  others,  and 

Election  of  new  Members  of  the 

Corporation,  1687-8. 

At  a  meeting  held  February  23,  1687 : — 

"  Whereas  his  Ma''^  by  an  Order  in  Councell,  bearing  date 
February  10,  1687,  under  Seale  of  the  sayd  Councell,  hath  re- 
moved Thomas  Gunter,  Esq.,  Recorder,  Thomas  Salter,  George 
Compton,  Abraham  Stockwell,  and  Richard  Reeves,  William 
Turner,  William  Rider,  Adam  Hill,  Richard  Hodson,  Aldermen, 
Abraham  Stockwell,  Jun.,  Thomas  Seely,  John  Rawlins,  Jeremy 
Chadsey,  John  Cawarden,  Com'on  Councell  Men,  and  Joseph 
Garrett  (Garrard),  Town  Clerk,  from  their  offices  and  places  in 
the  sd  Towne  of  Nubery.  We  here,  in  obedience  to  His  Mat'i^^ 
Warrant  in  that  behalfe,  doe  elect  and  admitt  Richard  Knapp, 
Esq.,  to  be  Recorder,  Nathaniel  Collins,  Levy  Smyth,  Henry 
Houghton,  Ralph  Sherley,  Robert  Wilson,  Thomas  Hughes, 
Barth'ew  Hughes,  Samuel  Hoffman,  to  be  Aldermen,  Richard 
Danse,  Thomas  Osgood,  Robert  Goslin,  Thomas  Pearse,  and 
William  Deale  to  be  Com'on  Councell  men  of  this  Burrough  in 
the  Roome  of  the  'Persons  above  mentioned. 

"John  Cooke,  Mayor, 

"  Will.  Hunt,  Justice, 
and  others. 

"  Of  this  number,  Robert  Wilson  refused  to  be  sworn  Alderman, 
and  Robert  Gosling  refused  to  be  sworn  Councilman,  whereupon 
their  places  were  declared  void." 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  311 

By  a  subsequent  Order  of  Council,  bearing  date  March  r, 
1687-8,  the  Corporation  were  require^i  to  elect  Benjamin 
Avery  as  Alderman,  and  James  Bond  one  of  the  Common 
Councilmen  of  the  Borough,  and  with  abject  submission 
they  were  elected  accordingly. 

The  authorities  were  mulcted  in  the  sum  of  ;^22  for  two 
Orders  of  Council  and  three  Mandates  "  for  the  regulation 
of  the  Corporation." 

SS.  Simon  and  Jude's  Fair,  1688. 

On  August  22,  1688,  it  was  ordered  "that  St.  Simon 
and  Jude's  ffair,  for  three  years  past  kept  in  the  Wash,  be 
ffrom  henceforth  removed  ffrom  the  Wash  and  kept  in  the 
Towne,  as  formerly.  And  that  the  Sheep  ffair  be  kept  in 
Westfeild." 

Party  Triumph,  1688. 

The  Chamberlains'  accounts  shew  that  the  deposition 
of  the  Tory  members  of  the  Corporation  was  celebrated 
with  ringing  of  bells  and  other  party  demonstrations,  and 
it  appears  that  the  newly-elected  Presbyterian,  Inde- 
pendent, and  Baptist  functionaries  attended  a  service  at 
"  the  Meeting  House  "  on  the  occasion  of  the  new  mayor's 
election,  accompanied  by  the  Town  Sergeants  and  other 
subordinate  officials.  But  the  tyrannical  rule  of  James 
soon  brought  about  its  own  defeat,  and  he  found  to  his 
cost  that  the  spirit  of  the  people  was  not  to  be  put  down. 

The  Nonconformists  had  been  looked  upon  by  James 
as  part  of  the  strength  of  the  government.  .The  time  had 
come,  however,  when  it  was  necessary  to  make  a  choice  ; 
and  the  Nonconformists  of  the  City  of  London  arrayed 
themselves  side  by  side  with  the  members  of  the  Church 
in  defence  of  the  fundamental  laws  of  the  realm.  Wil- 
liam, Prince  of  Orange,  had  been  invited  to  undertake  the 
government  of  the  country,  and  James  learned  that  an 
armed  deliverer  was  at  hand,  and  would  be  eagerly  wel- 
comed by  Whigs  and  Tories,  Dissenters  and  Churchmen. 
In  the  month  of  October,  1688,  the  King  issued  a  Procla- 


312  Neivbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

mation,  restoring,  with  other  concessions,  the  forfeited 
franchises  of  all  the  municipal  Corporations,  and  the 
position  of  the  ejected  members. 

Restoration  of  the  Tories,  1688. 

On  October  25,  1688,  the  old  members  of  the  Newbury 
Corporation  who  were  in  office  before  the  surrender  of  the 
governing  charter  of  the  borough, — that  of  Queen  Eliza- 
beth, in  1684,— met  in  the  Guildhall  "by  virtue  of  the 
King's  Declaration  and  Proclamation  of  October  17  last 
past,  and  there  unanimously  did  elect  Mr.  John  Burchell 
Mayor  for  the  remaining  part  of  the  yeere,  vizt.y  untill  the 
ffeast  day  of  St.  Matthew  the  Apostle  next  coming." 

William  and  Mary  Proclaimed,  1688. 

"  Upon  Munday,  February  i8,  1688,  their  Highnesses  William 
and  Mary,  Prince  and  Princess  of  Orange,  were  publikely  pro- 
claimed at  the  Market  Place  upon  the  Crosse,  Kinge  and  Queene 
of  England,  ffrance,  and  Ireland.  In  the  presence  of  a  multi- 
tude of  people  attending  to  the  proclamation. 

"John  Burchell,  Gent.,  Mayor." 

William,  Prince  of  Orange,  at  Newbury  in  1688. 

William,  Prince  of  Orange,  afterwards  William  III., 
arrived  at  Newbury  in  his  triumphal  march  from  Torbay 
to  London,  on  December  10,  1688,  and  the  following  day 
the  Prince,  with  the  chief  part  of  his  Dutch  troops  and 
adherents,  marched  from  Newbury  toward  Abingdon. 
The  route  taken  was  through  the  villages  of  Farnborough 
and  West  Ilsley,  along  the  "Golden  Mile"  to  Hendred, 
and  thence  to  Milton  House,  where  the  King  slept,  the 
troops  being  quartered  in  the  neighbourhood.  Lord 
Macaulay  gives  the  following  picturesque  description 
of  the  appearance  of  the  Dutch  and  other  troops  com- 
posing the  martial  pageant  which  accompanied  King 
William : — 

"  First  rode  Macclesfield  at  the  head  of  two  hundred  gentle- 
men, mostly  of  English  blood,  glittering  in  helmets  and  cuirasses, 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  313 

and  mounted  on  Flemish  war-horses.  Each  was  attended  by  a 
negro,  brought  from  the  sugar  plantations  on  the  coast  of  Guiana. 
.  .  .  Then,  with  drawn  broadswords,  came  a  squadron  of  Swedish 
horsemen  in  black  armour  and  fur  cloaks.  They  were  regarded 
with  a  strange  interest,  for  it  was  rumoured  that  they  were  natives 
of  a  land  where  the  ocean  was  frozen  and  where  the  night  lasted 
through  half  the  year,  and  that  they  had  themselves  slain  the 
huge  bears  whose  skins  they  wore.  Next,  surrounded  by  a  goodly 
company  of  gentlemen  and  pages,  was  borne  aloft  the  Prince's 
banner.  On  its  broad  folds  the  crowd  which  covered  the  roofs 
and  filled  the  windows  read  with  delight  that  memorable  in- 
scription, 'The  Protestant  Religion- and  the  liberties  of  Eng- 
land.' But  the  acclamations  redoubled  when,  attended  by  forty 
running  footmen,  the  Prince  himself  ap];ieared,  armed  on  back 
and  breast,  wearing  a  white  plume  and  mounted  on  a  white 
charger.  .  .  .  Near  to  the  Prince  was  one  who  divided  with 
him  the  gaze  of  the  multitude.  That,  men  said,  was  the  great 
Count  Schomberg,  the  first  soldier  in  Europe,  since  Turenne 
and  Cond^  were  gone ;  the  man  whose  genius  and  valour  had 
saved  the  Portuguese  monarchy  on  the  field  of  Montes  Claros ;  the 
man  who  had  earned  a  still  higher  glory  by  resigning  the  trun- 
cheon of  a  Marshal  of  France  for  the  sake  of  the  true  religion; .  . . 
Then  came  a  long  column  of  the  whiskered  infantry  of  Switzer- 
■  land,  distinguished  in  all  the  Continental  wars  of  two  centuries 
by  pre-eminent  valour  and  discipline,  but  never  till  that  week 
seen  on  English  ground.  And  then  marched  a  succession  of 
bands  designated,  as  was  the  fashion  of  that  age,  after  their 
leaders,  Bentinck,  Solmes,  and  Ginkell,  Talmash,  and  Mackay. . . . 
Nor  did  the  wonder  of  the  population  diminish  when  the  artil- 
lery arrived,  twenty-one  huge  pieces  of  brass  cannon,  which  were 
with  difficulty  tugged  along  by  sixteen  cart-horses  to  each.  Much 
curiosity  was  excited  by  a  strange  structure  mounted  on  wheels. 
It  proved  to  be  a  movable  smithy,  furnished  with  all  tools  and 
materials  necessary  for  repairing  arms  and  carriages  ^." 

The  memorable  skirmish  at  Reading  between  an  ad- 
vanced party  of  the  Prince  of  Orange's  troops  and  King 
James's  Scotch  and  Irish  regiments  seems  to  have  taken 
place  on  Sunday,  December  9,  the  day  before  the  Prince 
came  to  Nevi'bury. 

"  Hist,  of  Eng.,  vol.  iii.  p.  228. 


314  Ncivbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Extracts  from  the  Chamberlains'  Accounts, 
1680 — 1690. 

Micks.  1 6S0  to  Michs.  1681. 
Pd.  Wm.  Fflaggett  for  amending  the  Chaine  and       ;£  s.     d. 

Staple  upon  the  Bridge 00  02  08 

Pd.  to  Mr.  James  Pearse,   Mayor,  to  give  to   Sir 

Robert  Sayer^  for  his  Counsell  and  for  horse 

hire         ........       02  06  00 

Pd.  more  to  him  for  taking  of  the  Gaole  money  and 

for  the  order  .         .         .         .         .         .         .       00  1 2  00 

Pd.  Mr.  Edward  Walter  for  cutting  the  Weedes  in 

the  Marishe    .         .         .         .         .         .         .       00  10  00 

Pd.  for  the  Bellman's  Coate   .         .         .         .         .       01   10  03 

Michs.  1 68 1  to  Michs.  1682. 
To  the  Earle  of  Craven's  Keeper  at  Hampsteed  for 

his  fifees  for  the  Doe  that  the  Earle  gave  to 

the  Corporation  .  .  .  .  '  .  .  01  03  06 
Pd.  the  Corporation  expenses  at  the  Globe  att  the 

spending  the  said  Doe  .  .  .  .  .  07  17  00 
Gave  then  to  the  ffidlers  .  .  .  .  .  00  10  00 
Pd.  at  the  Globe  by  order  when  Mr.  Waller  sealed 

the  Deed  of  his  Trust  .  .  .  .  .  00  05  06 
Pd.  Mr.  Gunter,  Steward  (Recorder),  his  half  year's 

Salary     .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .       04  00  00 

Pd.    Mr.  Joseph   Garrard    (Town    Clerk)    his   half 

year's  Salary  .         .         .         .  .         .         .       01  od  00 

Pd.  to  foure  men  to  draw  the  Lock  in  the  Marish  .       00  01  04 
Pd.  for  cutting  the  weedes  in  the  Ryver  .         .       00  05  00 

Pd.  John  Buxy  for  stones  and  gravell  and  his  worke 

at  the  Stone  Bridges  ^  .  .  .  .  .  00  02  06 
Pd.  Mr.  Garrard  w"""  he  gave  to  Sir  Robert  Sawyer 

fee  [as]  Councell  one  Ginny    .        .         .         .       01  01  06 

y  Sir  Robert  Sawyer,  Attorney  General  to  Charles  II.  and  James  II.  from 
1681  to  1687,  and  well  known  as  one  of  the  chief  counsel  for  the  Seven 
Bishops.  He  purchased  the  Highclere  estate,  where  he  resided  the  latter 
years  of  his  life,  and  was  buried  in  the  old  parish  church,  which  he  rebuilt. 
His  only  daughter,  Margaret,  married  Thomas,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  the  last 
Lord  High  Admiral  of  England;  and  by  Sir, Robert  Sawyer's  will  this  pro- 
perty devolved  upon  her  second  son,  the  Hon.  Robert  Herbert,  and  on  his 
death,  without  issue,  in  1769,  it  came  by  succession  to  his  nephew,  the  then 
Earl  of  Carnarvon. 

'  The  foot-bridges  over  the  brook  in  Northbrook-street. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  315 

Michs.  1682  to  Michs.  1683. 
To  Mr.  Smith  for  Sir  Robert  Sawyer's  opinion  about       £,    s.    d. 

the  Intrusions  a  Ginny  .  .  .  .  .  01  01  06 
Pd.  for  John  Merriman's  buryal  .  .  .  .  00  14  00 
Pd.  to  Goody  Miller  toward  her  losse  in  providing 

the  Lady  Day  dinner  .  .  .  .  .  00  12  06 
Pd.  Mr.  Weekes  for  the  Dinner  upon  the  Law  Day  "  05  00  00 
Pd.  more  to  him  for  the  ffeast  made  at  spending  at 

the  Doe  .         .         .         .         .         .         .       06  18  06 

Pd.  the  Keeper's  fee  for  the  Doe    .         .        .         .       00  1 2  06 

Pd.  more  to  Mr.  Weekes  for  wyne  sent  the  Country 

Justices  at  Easter  and  Mich^  and  for  Wyne 

spent  at  Town  Sess.,  the  thanksgiving,  and  when 

the  Ld.  Bishop  came  hither  to  the  Visitation  .  04  01  00 
Pd.  Mr.  Chadsey  for  Wyne  spent  when  the  Address 

was  made  and  at  Town  Sess.  .         .         .       02   10  00 

Pd.   Expenses   for   carrying   up  Address  by   4   of 

Corporacion ''  .         .         .         .•        .         .       08  09  09 

Pd.  Mr.  Latham  for  writing  the  Address         .         .       00  05  00 

Michs.  1683  to  Michs.  1684. 
Pd.  Mr.  Joseph  Pearse,  Mayor,  his  yeere's  allowance       40  00  00 
Pd.  Mr.  Hinton  for  the  Mayor's  Sermon         .         .       01  00  00 
Pd.  Mr.  Simmons,  Mayor,  to  give  Sir  Robert  Sawyer 

for  advice,  &c.  °      .         .         .         .         .         .       07  01  00 

Pd.   more   to    him    for    Mr.  Cawley's   Booke   ag* 

Recusants       .         .         .         .         .         .         .       00  09  06 

Pd.  Mr.  Jos.  Garrard  for  his  charges  to  London  to 

surrender  up  the  Charter         .         .         .         .       01   10  00 

Pd.  to  Watermen,  Labourers,  &c.,  upon  the  occa- 
sion of  the  greate  ffroste  ^  {see  over) 

'  The  Court  Leet  dinner.  Mr.  Weekes  appears  to  have  kept  the  "Globe 
Inn." 

'■  Address  presented  to  King  Charles  II.  by  the  Corporation  on  his  escape 
from  the  Rye-House  Plot,  in  June,  1683.  A  Thanksgiving  for  his  Majesty's 
preservation  was  ordered  to  be  observed  on  Sunday,  September  9. 

'  In  relation  to  the  renewal  of  the  charter.  The  Corporation  must  have 
had  an  influential  friend  in  Sir  Robert  Sawyer,  who  was  then  the  Attorney- 
General. 

*  The  frost  this  year  was  terrible.  It  began  in  the  beginning  of  December, 
1683  ;  there  was  then  a  constant  frost  of  seven  weeks,  producing  ice  eighteen 
inches  thick.  Many  parks  of  deer  were  destroyed,  the  forest  trees,  and  even 
the  oaks  were  split  by  the  frost ;  most  of  the  hollies  were  killed,  and  nearly 
all  the  birds  perished.  About  forty  coaches  daily  plied  on  'the  Thames,  and 
all  sorts  of  diversions  carried  on  upon  the  ice,  which  were  visited  by  Charles 
II.,  with  other  members  of  the  royal  family. 


3l6  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Here  follow  numerous  payments  for  breaking  the  ice 
under  the  bridge,  stopping  breaches  in  the  Marsh  bank, 
for  recovering  the  Marsh  Bridge,  which  had  been  carried 
away  into  "  Mr.  Weston's  meade."  Recovering  the  boat 
sunk  at  the  Town  Bridge,  props  for  the  same  bridge,  and 
numerous  items  for  "  drink  and  ffyre,"  "  watching  at  the 
bridge,  candles,  and  ffaggotts  for  stopping  the  hole  at  the 
bridge,"  &c. 

MicJis.  1684  to  Michs.  1685. 

Pd.  Mr.  Cox  and  Mr.  Garard  when  they  went  to  £,    s.    d. 

London  about  the  new  Charter        .         .         .  10  00  00 
Pd.  more  to  Mr.  Garard  p'  order  about  the  Town 

Charter ,         .  06  00  00 

Pd.  Will.  Smart  for  wood  and  candles  for  the  souldiers^  02  02  00  ' 

Pd.  for  ringing  when  Ld.  Churchill '  was  here           .  00  10  00 
Pd.  Mr.  Gunter's  clarke  for  ingr.  (engrossing)  the 

Surrender  of  the  Old  Charter           .         .         .  00  10  00 
Pd.  Mr.  Cox  about  the  New  Charter      .         .         .  06  00  00 
Pd.   Nicholas  Moore  for  ringing  on  the  Thanks- 
giving Day      .         .         .         .         .         .         .  00  05  00 

This  Accountant's  charge  for  going  to  London  about 

the  Charters 00  15  00 

For  the  hire  of  4  Horses  from  Reading  to  Newbury  "^  00  09  00 
Pd.  Mr.  Kidgell's  charges  for  going  to  I^ondon  with 

the  Charter     .         .         .         .         .         .         .  00  19  00 

Michs.  1685  to  Michs.  1686. 

Pd.  for  large  Dutch  paper  &  pensill       .  •      .         .       00  00  09 
Pd.  Mr.  Edward  Stewart,  Foreman  of  the  Grand  Jury     00  15  00 


"  Troops  en  route  to  the  west'to  put  down  Monmouth's  Rebellion. 

'  Afterwards  the  great  Duke  of  Marlborough.  At  this  time  he  was  on  his 
way  westward  with  the  Oxford  Blues,  and  materially  assisted  in  the  defeat  of 
Monmouth  at  Sedgmoor,  near  Bridgewater,  July  6,  1685. 

K  Suppression  of  Monmouth's  Rebellion. 

^  The  new  charter  having  been  obtained  the  occasion  was  made  one  of 
great  rejoicing.  The  officials  who  had  been  entrusted  to  convey  it  from  Lon- 
don were  met  in  their  "coach  and  four  "at  some  little  distance  from  the 
town,  on  the  London  road,  by  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  all  the  other 
officers  of  the  Corporation  "in  their  formalities,"  accompanied  by  a  large 
gathering  of  the  principal  townspeople.  Bands  of  music  heralded  the  ap- 
proach of  the  bearers  of  the  "chartered  liberties,"  and  amid  the  shouts  of 
the  assembled  throng  the  procession  passed  on  through  the  streets  of  the  old 
town  to  the  Guildhall,  where  the  charter  was  read,  and  the  night  concluded 
with  bells  and  bonfires  and  other  expressions  of  rejoicing. 


Newbury  in  the  Sei'enteeiith  Century. 


317 


£    s.    d. 

Pd.  for  a  Bible  in  quarto  for  Mr.  Mayor          .         .  00  06  00 

Pd.  for  a  large  pewter  standish       .         .         .         .  00  04  06 

Pd.  the  Bellffounder  for  the  Hall  Bell     .         .         .  01   17  00 

Pd.  John  Carter  for  Beere  for  the  Ringers      .         .  00  02  00 

Pd.  Nicholas  Moore  for  the  Ringers       .         .         .  00  18  00 

Michs.  1686  to  Micks.  1687. 
To  Mr.  Phillips  when  the  Company  attended  my 

Ld.  Chamberlaine '          .         .         .         .         .  00  10  00 

Michs.  1687  to  Michs.  1688. 
Pd.  Mr.  Mayor  for  the  Disbursem''  about  the  ffaire 

and  for  the  Steward         .         .         .         .         .  02  06  06 

Pd.  poore  distressed  Officers  v.  order     .         .         .  00  05  00 
Jan.  25,  '87.     Pd.  the  ringers  at  the  election  of  y" 

new  Members'"       .         .         .         .         .         .  00  10  00 

Pd.  for  the  Serjeants' places  at  the  Meeting  House'  00  01  06 
May  18.     Pd.  the  ringers  when  the  Prince  went 

to  Bath"         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  00  15  00 

June  II.     Pd.  Mr.  Weekes  ffor  wine  on  the  Prince's  > 

birthday 01  02  06 

Pd.  Mr.  Phillips  ffor  wine  on  the  Prince's  birthday, 

on  the  thanksgiving  day  on  that  occasion  "       .  02   18  03 
Pd.  Mr.  Chadsey  on  the  same  account         .         .  02  08  00 
July.     Expended  at  the  Assizes  on  the  Corpora- 
tion's account          .         .         .         .         .         .  16  09  00 

Pd.  Mr.  Shirley  at  the  Assizes     .         .         .         .  01   07  07 

Pd.  for  6  horses' hire  to  Wallingford  °           .         .  00  15  00 

Pd.  to  4  Countrey  witnesses  and  3  Newbery         .  00  14  06 

Oct.  16.     Pd.  Dr.  King's  Bill          .         .         .         .  04  12  00 


'  The  probable  explanation  of  this  item  is  that  the  then  Lord  Cham- 
berlain was  passing  through  Speenhamland,  and  that  the  Corporation  paid 
him  a  complimentary  visit  at  the  "Bear  Inn,"  at  this  time  an  important 
coaching-house,  kept  by  Mr.  Phillips. 

'  When  the  old  members  of  the  Corporation  were  displaced  by  James  II. 

'  The  newly-elected  Mayor  and  Councillors  attended  one  of  the  Dissenting 
chapels,  apparently  accompanied  by  the  Town  Sergeants. 

"  Prince  George  of  Denmark,  who  was  accompanied  by  his  consort,  the 
Princess  Anne,  daughter  of  James  II.,  and  subsequently  Queen  of  England. 
He  died  in  1708. 

■■  This  was  a  Thanksgiving  for  the  birth  of  James  Francis  Edward,  styled 
the  Prince  of  Wales,  and  who  became  known  as  the  Old  Pretender,  or  Cheva- 
lier de  St.  George,  who  was  born  June  10,  1688. 

°  The  Assizes  were  held  at  Wallingford  this  year.  The  Corporation  seem 
to  have  been  engaged  in  an  important  law  case,  but  it  is  not  referred  to  in  the 
Journal.     It  is  very  likely  to  have  been  about  holding  the  fair  in  the  Wash. 


£ 

s.    d. 

22 

oo  oo 

OI 

lo  oo 

318  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

June,  '88.  Pd.  the  Recorder  by  Order  of  the  Company 
Jan.  28,  '88-89.     And  then  there  was  thirty  shilts 
tooke  for  the  sending  Mr.  Gerard  to  London  to 
the  Earle  of  Craven  out  of  the  abovesaid  moneys 

Feb.  18,  1688,  to  Micks.  1690. 

Feb.  18,  '88.  Pd.  at  the  Globe  by  Mr.  Maior's 
order  to  the  Trumpeters  at  the  proclamation 
of  the  King  &  Queene 01  00  00 

Feb.  20.     Pd.  Nicholas  Moore  for  ringing  the  Bell* 

on  that  Day 01  00  00 

Pd.  more  to  him  for  ringing  the  Bells  on  Thanks- 
giving DayP  .         .         .         .         .         .       01  00  00 

July  30,  '89.     Pd.  Mrs.  Chadsey  pr  Ord'  for  things 

delivered  to  the  Souldiers  the  Ireland  Day'    .       05  14  00 

Sept.  II.     Pd.  Mr.  Weekes  for  20  bottles  of  Wine 

presented  to  our  Bishop  .         .         .         .       01  00  00 

Sept.  20.  Pd.  Mr.  Hinton  for  preaching  the  Mayor's 

Sermon  .         .         .         .         .         .         .       01  00  00 

Oct.  8.     Pd.  Mr.  Weekes  for  12  bottles  of  Wine 

presented  to  the  Justices         .         .         .         .       00  12  00 
Pd.  for  a  book  for  the  Bread  and  Butter  weighers       00  00  09 
Pd.  John  Dandridge  for  ffyre,  candles,  and  paper 
used  at  the  Councell  Chamber  in  two  yeeres' 
tyme       .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .       00  13  00 

Nov.   8.     Pd.   Mr.  Shirley  for  the  Verdict  of  the 

Law  Day  Jury'        .         .         .         .         .         .       00  10  00 

Jan.  I,  '89.     Pd.  at  the  Globe  at  spending  of  the 

Doe  and  treating  of  the  Gentry'      .         .         .       07   16  09 
Pd.  ffor  two  bottles  of  sealed  wyne      .         .         .       00  02  08 

Jan.  20.  Pd.  Mr.  Cooper  (Recorder)  for  taking  of 
the  presentment  against  the  Towne  for  a  way 
out  of  the  Marish    .         .         .         .         .         .       01  00  10 

Jan.  22.     Pd.  three  men  for  making  a  Bay  to  keep 

the  Water  out  of  Northcroft  Lane    .         .         .       00  01  00 

p  Thanksgiving  "for  the  Deliverance  by  the  Prince  of  Orange  from  Popery 
and  Arbitrary  Power." 

1  The  Relief  of  Londonderry.  A  considerable  number  of  troops  were 
quartered  in  the  town  at  this  time.  In  December,  1688,  Newbury  was  ap- 
pointed as  the  quarters  of  Lieut. -Gen.  Werden's  regiment  of  Horse. 

'  Court  Leet  Jury. 

•  The  annual  venison  feast,  the  doe  being  given  by  Lord  Craven. 


Newbury  ifi  the  Seventeenth  Century.  319 

April  17,  '90.     Pd.  Nich^  Moore  for  ringing  of  our      £,    s.    d. 
Bells    upon    the    Coronation    Day    of    King 
Willian}  and  Queen  Mary        .         .         .         .       00  05  00 

June  3.     For  repairing  of  our  Town  Hall  after  that 
the  Card  had  left  it ' 

The  amount  paid  in  sundry  items  for  timber, 
laths,  &c.,  was  ^i  \os.  yd. 
July  17.     Pd.  Nich'.  Moore  for  ringing  o'^  Bells  for 

the  Victory  over  the  Irish "      .         .         .         .       00  15  00 
Aug.  3.     Pd.  John  Hayles  for  mending  the  Glasse 

at  the  Hall  after  the  Souldiers  left  their  Card  .       00  03  06 
Sept.  2.     Pd.  for  12  Bottles  of  Wyne  presented  to 

our  Bishop 00  15  06 

Pd.  Nich'.  Moore  for  3  dayes'  Ringing  when  the 

King  came  from  Bristoll  .         .         .         .       01  00  00 

Sept.  25.     Pd.  the  Prince  of  Denmark's  Gards  pr 

order  of  the  Company  at  Mr.  Weston's  Dore  "        00  05  00 
Abated  to  the  ffarmers  for  losse  of  Marketts  in  the 

late  troubles  &  other  losses  in  price  of  Come  .       10  00  00 

Micks.  1692  to  Michs.  1693. 
Pd.  Weekes  for  wine  for  the  Bishop        .         .        .       01  01  00 
To  the  White  Heart  the  Thanksgiving  Day     .         .       04  01  00 

Return  of  King  William  III.  from  Ireland, 

1690. 

King  William  being  expected  to  arrive  in  the  town  on 
his  way  from  Bristol  to  London,  after  his  campaign  in 
Ireland,  in  September,  1690, — the  battle  of  the  Boyne 
having  been  fought  the  previous  ist  of  July — the  Corpora- 
tion agreed  on  the  following  Resolution  : — 

"  That  in  case  His  Maj''"  King  William,  being  now  upon  his 
Returne  from  Ireland  to  London,  doe  happen  to  come  into  this 
Corporation,  that   Mr.  Mayor   doe   present  to  his   Ma"'  Fifty 

•  There  had  probably  been  some  disturbances  in  the  town  at  this  exciting 
time,  and  a  body  of  soldiers  were  quartered  in  the  Town  Hall  to  preserve 
order,  and  prevent  any  attack  on  the  building. 

"  The  Battle  of  the  Boyne,  fought  July  i,  i6go.  King  William  passed 
through  Newbury  in  June  on  his  way  to  embark  for  Ireland. 

»  Mr.  Weston  was  a  wealthy  clothier  in  Newbury,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  resided  at  Bussock  Court,  Winterbourne,  an  interesting  house,  de- 
molished many  years  since. 


320  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Ginnyes  in  a  purse  upon  the  account  of  this  Corporation,  Which 
fifty  Ginnyes  we  doe  hereby  Order  shall  be  Repayd  to  Mr.  Maior 
out  of  the  first  moneys  that  shall  be  brought  in  upon  the  Cor- 
poration account. 

"  John  Gyles,  Mayor, 

and  others." 

On  the  following  6th  of  September  the  King  landed  at 
Bristol,  and  on  the  8th  arrived  at  Newbury,  where  he  was 
received  with  the  most  enthusiastic  respect  and  joy. 

Vote  for  the  Church  Repairs,  1691. 
On  May  25,  1691,  the  Council  ordered  : — 
"  That  ;£'ioo  of  Mr.  Kendrick's  money  be  lent  for  the  use  of 
the  Church  of  Newbury,  and  that  whereas  £,^0  has  usually  been 
given  by  the  Corporation  to  the  new  Mayor  for  defraying  the 
cost  of  his  feast,  that  ;^2o  of  the  same  amount  shall  be  given  to 
the  use  of  the  sd  Church  till  the  charge  of  repairing  the  said 
Church  be  fully  paid.'' 

A  few  years  previously  a  portion  of  the  clerestory  and 
roof  of  the  church  fell  down,  caused  by  one  of  the  pillars 
of  the  nave  having  given  way,  and  a  considerable  sum  was 
collected  to  defray  the  cost  of  the  repairs  consequent  on 
this  accident. 

The  Marsh,  1693. 

In  1693  the  Corporation  proceeded  against  Mary  Kel- 
way,  widow,  and  her  servants,  by  action  in  the  Court  of 
King's  Bench,  "  for  Digginge  downe  the  Marish  Bank  in 
Newbury,  whereby  the  said  Marish  was  drowned,  to  the 
great  damage  and  charges  of  this  Corporation  to  make  up 
the  sd  Banks  agen." 

Frequent  Robberies  in  1693. 
In  the  year  1693,  the  inhabitants  having  been  greatly 
annoyed  by  street  robberies,  burglaries,  and  other  nocturnal 
disorders,  the  following  order  was  made  by  the  Court  of 
Quarter  Sessions  for  the  borough  : — 

"  To  the  Church  Wardens  and  others,  the  Overseers  of  the 
poore  of  Newbury,  and  -everi  or  any  of  them,  As  alsoe  to  the 


Burrough  of 

Newbury,  in 

the  County  of 

Berks. 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  321 

Church  Wardens  and  other,  the  Overseers  of  the  Poore  of 
Greenham,  and  everi  or  any  of  them,  and  to  all  others  whome  it 
may  concerne, 

Whereas  in  the  Night  time  Diverse  Howse 
and  Shopps  within  this  Burrough  have  been  by 
.  wicked  and  evill  disposed  p'sons  violently  broken 
open  and  Attempted  to  be  broken  open,  And 
their  moneys  and  other  Goods  therefound  ffelo- 
niously  taken  Away,  which  may  prove  the  Ruine  of  many  ffamilys 
here  if  not  timely  p''vented.  It  is  therefore  thought  fit,  And  soe 
ordered  by  this  Court,  That  there  be  a  Watch  kept  in  the  Night 
time  During  all  this  winter  in  this  Burrough  and  Towne  And  the 
Liberties  thereof  ffrom  Nine  in  the  evening  untill  ffive  in  the 
morning,  And  that  the  said  Watch  do  consist  of  one  of  the 
Constables,  Bailiffs  or  Tythingmen  every  night,  with  the  Bell- 
man and  two  other  honest  Townesmen  of  this  Burrough,  who 
are  to  be  paid  by  the  whole  Inhabitantes  of  this  Burrough  and 
Towne.  Dated  in  open  Sessions  the  day  and  yeere  above 
written." 

The  Market  Cross,  1695. 
On  October  21,  1695,  the  Corporation  adopted  a  reso- 
lution that  the  ancient  Market  Cross,  which  stood  at  the 
south  end  of  the  old  Guildhall,  should  be  repaired,  and 
that  new^  stones  be  provided  for  the  same  where  needful. 

Money  lent  to  Officers  by  the  Corporation, 

1696. 

The  difficulty  experienced  by  the  officers  of  the  troops 
quartered  in  the  town  in  obtaining  pay  for  themselves  and 
their  men  may  be  inferred  from  the  following  and  sub- 
sequent entries  in  the  Journal: — "March  31,  1696,  It  is 
ordered  that  the  sum  of  £ifi  be  lent  to  the  officers  now 
quartered  in  the  Towne,  and  that  they  shall  be  lent  £/ifO 
more  a  ffortnight  hence  if  they  shall  have  occasion." 

The  National  Association,  1696. 

At  the  same  Court  it  was  also  ordered  "  that  the  Asso- 
ciation lately  signed  by  the  Parliament  be  signed  by  this 

Y 


322  Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Company  and  all  other  the  inhabitants  of  this  Burrough, 
and  afterwards  presented  to  his  Maj'i^." 

This  National  Association  was  established  in  1696,  of 
which  all  persons  holding  office  under  government  were 
required  to  be  members.  Its  subscribers  declared 
"  that  King  William  is  rightful  and  lawful  King  of  these 
Realms ;  and  we  mutually  agree  to  stand  by  and  assist  each 
other  in  the  defence  of  His  Majesty  against  King  James  and  his 
adherents ;  and  in  case  King  Wilham  should  come  to  a  violent 
death  we  oblige  ourselves  to  Unite  and  Associate  in  revenging 
it  upon  his  enemies,  and  in  supporting  the  succession  to  the 
Crown,  according  to  the  Act  i  William  and  Mary." 

On  April  7  it  was  ordered  "  that  the  Association  now 
subscribed  by  this  Corporation  be  carried  up  to  London 
in  order  to  be  presented  to  the  King  by  the  Mayor,  the 
Steward,  and  the  Justice,  and  that  their  reasonable  ex- 
penses be  allowed." 

Mr.  Richard  Gray  was  mayor  at  this  time ;  William 
Lord  Craven,  High  Steward  ;  Mr.  Edward  Godwin,  Deputy 
Steward  or  Recorder;  and  Mr.  Levi  Smith,  Justice. 

Rev.  W.  Taylor,  1696. 
At  the  Court  of  Sessions  held  in  April,  1696, 
"  Mr.  William  Taylor,  a  dissenting  minister,  tooke  the  Oaths, 
repeated   the  Declaracon,  and   subscribed   the  Articles  of  the 
Church  of  England  according  to  the  Act  of  Parliament." 

Dissenting  Places  of  Worship,  1696. 

We  find  the  following  entry  on  the  minutes  of  the  Court 
of  Quarter  Sessions,  1696  : — 

"  Mr.  William  Hunt,  Mr.  Benjamin  Avery,  and  others,  certified 
to  this  Court  that  the  new  dweUing  house  of  Mr.  William  Tay- 
lor, situate  in  Bartholomew  Streete  in  this  Burough,  is  a  place 
where  Religious  worshipp  is  exercised '." 

y  The  Rev.  William  Taylor,  the  Presbyterian  minister  above  mentioned, 
was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  William  Taylor,  B.A.,  born  at  Keighley  in  York- 
shire, of  Magdalen  Hall,  Oxford,  successively  Master  of  the  Grammar 
Schools    at    Kington   in    Herefordshire    and   Cirencester,    and    aftervifards 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  323 

The  Rev.  William  Taylor  was  afterwards  minister  of  the 
Presbyterian  meeting-house,  near  the  river,  to  which  he 
and  his  congregation  removed  from  Bartholomew-street, 
in  the  year  1697,  when  the  building  still  standing  was 
built.  The  subscription  to  the  Articles  of  the  Church  of 
England  was  compulsory,  in  accordance  with  the  Test 
Act,  on  all  persons  who  should  enjoy  any  public  office. 

At  the  Sessions  held  in  August  the  same  year  (1697) 
there  is  the  following  entry  on  the  minutes  of  the 
Court : — 

"  Att  this  Court  a  Certificate  was  delivered,  certifying  that  the 
new  erected  Building  situate  on  the  East  side  of  Northbrooke, 
standing  on  a  plott  of  ground  late  in  the  possession  of  William 
Lynch,  is  appointed  ffor  an  Assembly  of  persofis  for  Religious 
Worshipp." 

This  refers  to  the  Presbyterian  meeting-house  alluded 
to  above. 

More  Moistey  lent  to  Officers  by  the  Cor- 
poration, 1696. 

"July  10,  1696.  It  is  ordered  that  Mr.  Thomas  Blissett  be 
employed  to  receive  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  and  eight 
pounds  ffifteen  shillings  and  ffour  pence,  lately  lent  by  this 
Corporation,  Thatcham,  and  Speenhamland  to  the  officers  of 
Brigadier  Stewart's  Regiment,  as  appears  by  their  Receipts." 

Revival  of  the  Mayor's  Feast,  1696. 

The  expenses  connected  with  repairing  the  church 
having  been  paid  off,  the  former  allowance  to  the  Mayor 
of  £\o  a  year  for  defraying  the  cost  of  the  customary 
feast  was  again  allowed  by  the  Corporation  at  the  annual 
meeting  held  September  21,  1696,  Richard  Gray  being 
Mayor. 

Preacher  at  Bow,  Middlesex,  and  Minister  of  St.  Stephen's,  Coleman-street ; 
he  died  Sept.  5,  1661,  and  was  buried  in  the  chancel  of  that  church.  His 
son  William  was  chaplain  to  Philip,  Lord  Wharton,  and  became  Minister  of 
the  Presbyterian  chapel,  Newbury.  He  married  Mary,  eldest  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  Henry  Jolly,  Vicar  ot  Chute,  Wilts,  by  his  wife  Frances  Gainsford, 
descended  from  Sir  John  Gainsford  of  Crowhurst,  co.  Surrey.  He  died  sud- 
denly in  the  year  1700,  in  the  52nd  year  of  his  age. 

Y  2 


324  Newbury  m  the  Seventeenth  Century. 

Further  Money  lent  to  Officers  by  the 
Corporation,  1696. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  December  i,  1696,  it  was  ordered 
that  the  sum  of.;£'30  \os.  be  lent  by  the  Corporation  to 
Mr.  Thurston  Hadduck,  "  Lieutenant  of  Captain  Harri- 
son's Company  in  Colonel  Coote's  Regiment,"  for  the  pay- 
ment of  quarters  in  the  borough ;  and  also  that  the  sum 
of  £6  be  lent  to  pay  for  the  Lieutenant's  and  Ensign's 
quarters.     Samuel  Slocock  being  maj'or. 

On  the  following  January  20,  1696-7,  a  further  sum  of 
£^0  was  lent  by  the  Corporation  for  the  pay  and  quarters 
of  the  soldiers. 

Mr.  BlissEtt,  a  Member  of  the  Corporation, 
removed,  1696. 

During  Mr.  Slocock's  mayoralty  Mr.  Richard  Blissett, 
"  for  not  subscribing  to  the  Association,  and  in  many 
contempts  in  not  meeting  the  Company,"  was  ordered  to 
be  discharged  from  being  a  member  of  the  Corporation. 

Mr.  Blissett  was  a  brewer  in  Newbury,  and  a  benefactor 
to  the  church  almshouses. 

Desire  to  Enfranchise  the  Borough,  1699. 

The  following  remarkable  entry  occurs  in  the  Journal 
on  April  14,  1699:  — 

"  It  is  Ordered  that  the  sum  of  One  Hundred  Pounds  be  paid 
by  this  Corporation  to  such  persons  who  shall  procure  the  pri- 
vilege of  Electing  Members  for  Parliament  for  this  Burrough,  soe 
as  such  members  to  be  chosen  and  their  Election  be  approved 
of  in  Parliament. 

"  John  Gyles,  Mayor." 

At  this  momentous  period  the  most  strenuous  efforts 
were  made  by  the  Whig  party  to  return  to  Parliament  as 
many  members  as  they  could  who  were  favourable  to  the 
Act  of  Settlement,  by  which  the  accession  of  the  Pro- 
testant House  of  Hanover  to  the  throne  of  England  was 
effectually  secured.  Hence  the  anxiety  of  the  Newbury 
authorities  to  acquire  direct  representation  in  Parliament, 


Newbury  in  the  Seventeenth  Century.  325 

but  as  the  Act  of  Settlement  was  passed  June  12,  1701, 
and  their  especial  object  was  attained,  probably  the  desire 
to  obtain  Parliamentary  enfranchisement  was  not  after- 
wards pressed  with  the  like  importunity. 

A  Coiner  at  Newbury,  1699. 

On  July  15,  1699,  it  was  ordered  that  the  sum  of  28^. 
be  paid  by  the  Constable  "  for  the  charges  of  the  officers 
and  for  the  prosecution  of  the  Coiner  at  the  Assizes." 


CHAPTER   XII. 


IRewburs  in  tbe  Bigbteentb  Century. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — Dissenting  places  of  worship, 
1700-2.— Queen  Anne  at  Newbury,  1703.— The  Newbury  Skirmish, 
1706.— The  Corporation  Maces,  1707.— Minor  events,  1713-50.— The 
Newbury  Coach  started,  1752. — Minor  events,  1752-54. — The  Corpo- 
ration Maces,  1758. — Minor  events,  1759-65. — Residents  in  Newbury  in 
1765.  — Bread  riot  at  Newbury,  1766. — Minor  events,  1769-94. — The 
Kennet  and  Avon  Canal  projected,  1794. — The  Volunteer  Association, 
1794-99. — Minor  events,  1796-99. 

THE  Manorial  History  of  Newbury,  as  will  have  been 
observed  in  the  last  chapter,  becomes  at  this  period 
absorbed  into  that  of  the  Corporation  ;  and  further  on  it  will 
be  seen  by  the  extracts  from  the  Municipal  Records  that 
those  which  are  given  cannot  be  conveniently  separated 
from  the  ordinary  local  annals  of  the  town  generally,  such 
as  in  the  previous  chapters  have  been  inserted  under  the 
general  heading  of  "  Incidents  connected  with  Newbury." 

Dissenting  Places  of  Worship,  1700-2. 
We  find  the  following  further  references  to  dissenting 
places  of  worship  in  the  Records  of  the  Court  of  Quarter 

Sessions : — 

1700.     January  Sessions  : — 

"  The  Dwelling  House  of  Mrs.  Mary  Woodbridge  [Widow  of 
the  Rev.  Benjamin  Woodbridge],  and  the  Dwelling  House  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Hunt,  were  at  this  Sessions  certifyed  to  be  places 
used  for  assembly  of  persons  for  Religious  Worshipp." 

1700.     April  Sessions  : — 

"  The  Dwelling  House  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Houghton,  Widdow, 
was  att  this  Sessions  certifyed  to  be  a  place  used  for  assembly  of 
persons  for  Religious  Worshipp." 

The  "Quakers'  Meeting  House"  is  mentioned  in  the 
Records  of  the  July  Sessions,  1701. 
1702.     October  Sessions  : — 
"  Att  this  Co''  the  Building  newly-erected  within  this  Burough 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  327 

upon  a  peece  of  Ground,  late  the  Widdow  Morrell's,  was  certifyed 
to  be  a  place  used  for  Religious  Worshipp." 


Queen  Anne  at  Newbury,  1703. 

Queen  Anne  visited  Newbury  in  October,  1703,  on  her 
way  from  Bath,  and  was  hospitably  entertained  at  Shaw 
House  by  Mr.  Thomas  Dolman  (son  of  the  first  Sir 
Thomas  Dolman).  As  a  recognition  of  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  received  the  Queen,  he  was  knighted  at 
St.  James's  the  following  nth  of  November. 

The  Newbury  Skirmish,  1706. 

In  1706,  in  accordance  with  an  Act  of  Parliament  for 
the  impressment  into  the  Queen's  service  of  all  vagrants 
"  and  other  idle  destitute  People,"  some  officers  belonging 
to  a  recruiting  party,  who  were  raising  men  at  Newbury, 
having  received  information  concerning  John  Pinfold,  "  an 
idle  loose  Fellow,"  living  near  the  town,  sent  two  sergeants 
to  apprehend  him.  He  was  accordingly  arrested  and 
brought  before  the  Justices  at  Newbury,  who  ordered  him 
into  the  Service,  and  meanwhile  to  be  kept  in  safe  custody, 
with  other  enforced  recruits,  at  the  town  gaol.  As  he 
was  being  conducted  to  the  lock-up  some  of  his  com- 
panions knocked  one  of  the  sergeants  down,  and  rescued 
Pinfold,  but  the  sergeant  getting  on  his  legs  again,  pur- 
sued and  recaptured  his  man,  but  the  mob  increasing,  the 
soldiers  were  attacked  by  the  rabble,  and  Pinfold  again 
made  his  escape.  The  disturbance  increasing,  and  the 
officers  and  soldiers  being  threatened,  a  constable  and  the 
watchmen  were  ordered  to  keep  guard  at  the  prison, 
together  with  some  soldiers  detached  for  that  duty.  As 
the  military  party  were  proceeding  to  the  Market-place 
for  this  purpose  they  were  attacked  by  the  mob,  and  a 
free  fight  ensued,  in  which  one  of  the  sergeants  was  killed, 
but  the  other  soldiers  successfully  defended  themselves 
for  some  time,  having  fire-arms  with  them.  The  con- 
stable and  watchmen  coming  up,  as  the  soldiers  thought 
to  their  assistance,  took  the  part  of  the  mob,  and  fell  upon 


328  Newbury  in  the  EigJiteenth  Century. 

the  soldiers,  knocking  them  down  with  their  staves.  The 
officers,  who  were  in  a  tavern  not  far  off,  being  informed 
of  this,  came  forward,  "Armed  with  a  Case  of  Pistols,  and 
fired  among  the  Rout,  after  which  they  drew  their  Swords 
and  fell  in  among  them :  so  that  2  or  3  of  their  Fellows 
drop,  and  several  being  wounded."  The  authorities  of  the 
town  not  assisting  to  quell  the  disturbance,  the  officers 
sent  for  Mr.  Kingsmill,  of  Sandleford,  an  Associate-Justice 
of  the  borough,  who  had  several  of  the  mutineers  appre- 
hended, some  of  whom  he  surrendered  to  the  Captain  for 
the  Queen's  service ;  so  that  the  military  had  the  best  of 
the  business  after  all.  "  Besides,"  says  the  broadside  from 
which  the  account  is  taken,  "  we  hear  since,  the  Town  is 
to  be  prosecuted,  and  satisfaction  to  be  given  to  the 
Soldiers  and  Officers :  so  that  the  next  Day  they  marched 
to  Reading  with  the  rest  of  their  Men,  and  great  enquiry 
is  made  after  the  Mutineers." 

An  entry  in  the  parish  register  records  that  the  sergeant 
who  was  killed  was  buried  in  the  churchyard. 

The  Corporation  Maces,  1707. 

The  two  silver  and  gilt  maces  now  in  possession  of  the 
Corporation  are  known  as  the  "  Stewart  Mace "  and  the 
"  Kimber  Mace,"  having  been  respectively  acquired  by 
the  borough  during  the  mayoralty  of  Edward  Stewart  in 
1707,  and  John  Kimber  in  J758. 

The  "  Stewart  Mace"  is  thirty-nine  inches  in  length,  of 
the  usual  open-arched  crown  form,  with  orb  and  cross,  the 
arches  rising  from  a  circlet  of  crosses  patee,  and  fleurs- 
de-lis  of  unusually  elaborate  and  elegant  design,  both 
crosses  and  fleurs-de-lis  being  richly  foliated.  Beneath  the 
arches  of  the  crown  are  the  royal  arms  in  relief,  and  round 
the  bowl,  which  is  divided  into  four  compartments  by 
demi-figures  terminating  in  foliage,  are  the  rose,  sur- 
mounted by  a  crown,  with  the  initials  A.  R. ;  the  harp, 
similarly  crowned  and  initialled  ;  the  fleur-de-lis  the  same  ; 
and  the  thistle  treated  in  a  similar  manner.  The  shaft  is 
divided  into  three  lengths  by  encircling  bands,  and,  as 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Centnry.  329 

well  as  the  base,  is  chased.  On  the  upper  length  of  the 
shaft  are  engraved  the  arms,  without  shield,  of  the  Borough 
of  Newbury,  a  castle  with  central-domed  tower  and  two 
side  turrets,  with  flags  from  each,  and  above  the  arms 
"  Burgus  de  Newbury,"  and  beneath  them,  "  E.  Stewart, 
Mayor,  1707." 

Education  of  the  Poor  in  Newbury  in  17 13. 

In  "An  Account  of  Charity  Schools  in  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland,"  &c.,  &c.,  Twelfth  Edition,  London,  1713,  the 
following  information,  regarding  the  then  existing  means 
for  educating  the  children  of  the  poor  at  Newbury,  is 
given : — 

"  Newbury.  A  School  for  40  boys,  whereof  35  are  cloathed. 
Endowed  by  the  Corporation  with  ^^40  per  annum.  A  Gentle- 
man [Richard  Cowslade]  has  settled  an  estate  of  ^25  per  annum 
for  teaching  and  cloathing  10  of  the  said  children,  and  supplying 
them  with  books;  5  more  are  cloathed  and  taught  by  private 
charity.  Part  of  the  offertory  is  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the 
school.  There  is  the  effigies  of  a  charity-boy,  with  a  poor's  box, 
set  up  at  the  entrance  into  the  church,  which  has  well  answer'd 
the  end  of  setting  it  up.  Some  of  the  boys  have  been  put  out 
to  apprentice." 

Cowslade's  School  Charity,  1715. 

Richard  Cowslade,  by  deed  dated  May  30, 171 5,  gave 
some  land  at  Greenham,  about  46  acres,  to  nine  members 
of  the  Corporation,  for  the  education  and  clothing  while 
at  school  of  ten  poor  boys,  natives  and  inhabitants  of 
Newbury,  to  be  selected  by  the  Corporation.  This  Charity 
is  now  administered  by  the  Rector  of  Newbury  and  five 
other  Trustees. 

The  Independent  Meeting-house,  1717. 

In  this  year,  17 17,  the  Independent  meeting-house  was 
built  on  the  site  of  the  present  (1887)  Independent  Con- 
gregational Chapel. 


330  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

Charity  of  John  and  Frances  West,  1717. 

John  West  and  Frances  his  wife,  by  deed  dated  17 17, 
gave  to  the  poor  of  the  parish  of  Newbury  (three  of  whom 
must  have  been  inhabitants  within  thirty  years  prior  to 
the  date  of  the  grant)  ^5  each  from  certain  houses  and 
lands  vested  in  the  Corporation  of  London,  Governors  of 
Christ's,  Bethlehem,  and  Bridewell  Hospitals,  with  pre- 
ference to  the  kindred  of  the  said  John  and  Frances 
West. 

Also  by  deed  bearing  date  171 8,  to  poor  blind  people, 
;^5  per  annum  each,  with  preference  to  their  kindred,  and 
next  to  the  blind  of  Reading  and  Newbury.  Vested  in 
the  Clothworkers'  Company,  of  London. 

Also  by  deed  bearing  date  1720,  for  maintaining  and 
presentations  of  children  to  Christ's  Hospital,  London, 
more  than  three-fourths  to  be  boys,  ;^io  per  annum  each, 
and  for  apprenticing  the  boys  ;£'20  each ;  and  the  girls  £^ 
each,  with  preference  to  their  kindred.  Vested  in  the 
Governors  of  Christ's  Hospital. 

When  a  vacancy  occurs  the  parish  is  regularly  informed 
of  it  from  Christ's  Hospital ;  notice  is  then  given  of  a 
parish  vestry,  to  be  held  on  the  Monday  se'nnight  after 
the  notice,  for  the  purpose  of  filling  up  the  vacancy ;  and 
the  election  takes  place  accordingly  by  the  vote  of  the 
vestry. 

The  Grammar  School,  1723. 

June  10,  1723.  By  a  memorandum  of  this  date  it  ap- 
pears that  Mr.  Tassell  continued  Master  of  the  School 
until  this  time,  and  claimed  £\  per  annum  for  reading 
prayers  at  the  school,  which  the  Corporation  refused  to 
pay,  it  not  having  been  before  demanded. 

September  21,  1724. — By  a  memorandum  of  this  date 
it  is  shewn  that  the  Rev.  Philip  Morgan  had  been  then 
Master  of  the  school  for  two  years,  and  that  it  was  agreed 
by  the  Corporation  that  he  should  receive  the  yearly  sum 
of  £a,  for  teaching  the  free  school,  but  his  appointment  is 
not  found. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  331 

The  Rev.  John  Daniel  Cotton,  author  of  a  volume  of 
"  Poems  on  Several  Occasions,  English  and  Latin,"  with- 
out date,  but  published  about  1754,  is  described  on  the 
title-page  as  "  Master  of  the  Gram  mar-School  in  New- 
bury, Berks,"  but  his  appointment  does  not  appear  in  the 
extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the  Corporation  given  in  any 
of  the  reports  or  particulars  of  the  hospital.  He  was 
probably  loaim  tenens  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Morgan. 

March  30,  1764. — The  Rev.  Thomas  Penrose,  Rector  of 
Newbury,  was  chosen  Master  of  the  Free  Grammar-  ^ 
School,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Morgan,  who  had  resigned. 
And  it  was  ordered,  "  That  the  Town  Clerk  do  acquaint 
the  said  Mr.  Morgan  therewith,  and  likewise  do  send  an 
account  thereof  to  the  proper  officer  of  the  Exchequer, 
from  whence  such  salary  is  payable." 

April  15, 1766.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Best  was  chosen  Master 
of  the  Free  Grammar-School,  in  the  room  of  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Penrose,  who  had  resigned,  and  afterwards  en- 
tered into  an  agreement  with  the  Corporation  to  resign,  if 
at  any  time  it  should  happen  that  he  had  less  than  two 
scholars  as  boarders. 

March  23,  1768. — At  a  Corporation  meeting  it  was  or- 
dered, "  That  the  money  then  due  from  the  Exchequer  to 
the  Corporation  should  be  equally  divided  between  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Morgan  and  the  Corporation."  And  it  was  or- 
dered, "  That  £if  a  year  be  paid  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Best,  for 
reading  prayers  in  the  Free  Grammar- School  of  this 
Borough,  to  the  Almspeople  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Alms- 
houses, for  and  during  the  pleasure  of  this  Corporation, 
and  so  long  as  he  shall  continue  to  read  prayers  there, 
being  the  same  sum  which  Mr.  Morgan  formerly  annually 
received  for  the  same  purpose." 

The  Great  Flood  of  1726. 
In  this  year  a  great  flood  threw  down  an  arch  of  New- 
bury Bridge.     (Mist's  Journal.) 

Hunt's  Charity,  1727. 
Thomas  Hunt,  by  will  dated  June  19,  1727,  founded 
an  almshouse  at  West  Mills,  for  three  poor  widows,  in- 


332  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

habitants  of  Newbury  (preference  being  always  given  to 
such  as  were  related  to  the  families  of  Hunt  and  Merri- 
man),  to  be  paid  a  weekly  stipend,  with  an  allowance  for 
clothing  and  fuel.  The  remainder  of  the  income,  which  is 
derived  from  a  small  farm  at  Cold  Ash,  to  be  applied 
towards  teaching  the  poor  children  of  the  town  of  New- 
bury to  read. 

Stockwell's  Gift  to  the  Poor,  1736. 

Thomas  Stockwell,  by  deed  dated  June  22,  1736, 
granted  a  yearly  rent  charge  of  30^.  issuing  out  of  a  tene- 
ment of  his  at  Newbury,  to  be  laid  out  in  bread,  and  given 
to  the  poor  on  St.  Thomas's  Day,  by  the  mayor  and 
aldermen  of  the  said  borough. 

The  tenement  thereto  consists  of  a  house  and  shop  in 
the  Market-place,  Newbury,  formerly  belonging  to  Anna 
and  Martha  Perry. 

The  Mayor's  Cake,  1742. 

It  appears  to  have  been  a  very  old  custom  in  Newbury 
to  make  a  large  cake  for  the  Mayor's  feast,  and  so  con- 
spicuous was  this  costly  item  at  the  annual  banquet,  that 
we  find  a  special  order  made  concerning  its  discontinu- 
ance, in  November,  1742,  as  follows  : — 

"  It  is  ordered  That  for  the  future  no  Cake  shall  be  made  as 
usually  have  been,  and  that  the  present  Mayor  and  any  member 
of  the  Corporation  who  shall  succeed  him  from  Time  to  Time  in 
the  office  of  Mayor  shall  deduct  and  allow  or  cause  to  be  de- 
ducted and  allowed  out  of  the  moneys  allowed  for  defraying  the 
expense  of  the  feast  the  sum  of  Ten  pounds  instead  of  making 
such  Cake,  which  said  sum  of  Ten  pounds  is  agreed  to  be  from 
time  to  time  to  be  disposed  of  in  such  manner,  and  to  be  applied 
to  such  and  such  uses  as  the  said  mayor,  aldermen,  and  bur- 
gesses, or  their  successors,  shall  see  fit  and  expedient. 

"  George  Calverley,  Mayor." 


Nezvbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  333 

Corporation  Apparel,  1741. 
On  September  28,  1741,  it  was  ordered 

"  That  for  the  Future  all  the  Burgesses  who  have  served  the 

office  of  Mayor  shall  on  all  publick  or  Gown  Days  appear  in 

Gowns  all  of  one  sort  and  make,  proper  and  suitable  to  the 

office  of  a  Burgess,  and  the  Town  Clerk  of  the  said  Borough 

shall  provide  himself  with  a  Attorney's  Gown  to  be  worn  likewise 

on  the  Gown  Days. 

"  Jon".  Wellman,  Mayor." 

The  New  Town  House,  1742. 

In  1742  it  was  ordered  that  all  accounts  relating  to  the 
building  of  the  new  Town  House  (the  present  Town  Hall) 
should  be  audited  and  settled. 

Captured  Treasure  conveyed  through  Newbury, 

1745- 
In  1745  the  British  ships,  "  Prince  Frederick"  (Capt.  Tal- 
bot), the  "Duke"  (Capt.  Morecock),  and  two  English  pri- 
vateers, captured  two  French  ships,  heavily  laden  with 
specie  and  other  valuable  merchandise.  The  prizes  were 
landed  at  Bristol,  and  forty-seven  waggons  laden  with  the 
treasure,  and  guarded  by  troops,  were  drawn  into  New- 
bury Market-place,  on  their  way  to  London. 

The  Rebellion  of  Charles  Edward,  the  Young 
Pretender,  1746. 

After  the  defeat  of  the  Pretender  at  the  Battle  of  Cul- 
loden,  and  suppression  of  the  Rebellion,  the  Corporation 
of  Newbury  agreed  on  the  following  grandiloquent  address 
to  His  Majesty  King  George  II.,  which  was  presented  to 
the  King  by  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  St.  Albans,  Lord 
Lieutenant  and  Custos -Rotulorum  of  the  County  of 
Berks  : — 

"  May  it  please  your  Majesty. 

To  permit  us,  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Burgesses,  of  the 
Borough  of  Newbury  in  the  County  of  Berks,  to  join  in  the  uni- 


334  Newbury  in  the  EigJiteenth  Century. 

versal  acclamation  of  our  fellow  subjects,  with  hearts  as  full  of 
transports  and  congratulations  on  the  happy  suppression  of  the 
late  unnatural  Rebellion,  as  they  are  at  all  times  of  Loyalty  to 
your  Majesty  and  zeal  for  the  Religion  and  Liberties  of  the 
Country.  These  are  blessings  without  which  Life  itself  would 
cease  to  be  one ;  and  the  preservation  of  these  we  owe  to  the 
happy  Establishment  of  your  Royal  House  on  the  Throne  of 
these  Kingdoms,  and  the  more  eminently  on  the  late  occasion  to 
the  glorious  success  of  your  Majesty's  Arms  under  the  conduct 
of  His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke.  A  Prince  who  visibly  appears 
to  have  derived  from  his  Royal  Father  witli  his  noble  blood  all 
the  martial  Ardour,  Presence  of  mind,  Contempt  of  danger,  and 
superiority  of  genius  in  the  Art  of  War,  which  have  already 
rendered  him  even  in  these  his  early  years  a  terror  to  our  Enemies, 
a  Curb  to  the  ambitious  views  of  Tyrants  and  Oppressors,  the 
Scourge  of  Rebels  and  lawless  Invaders,  and  a  Bulwark  as  well 
as  Glory  to  the  British  Nation. 

"  May  it  please  the  Divine  Providence,  which  hath  hitherto  so 
signally  preserved  his  precious  life  (too  carelessly  exposed  by 
himself  on  all  occasions),  to  guard  your  Majesty  and  every  Branch 
of  the  Royal  Family  from  all  dangers,  and  to  continue  to  us  and 
our  latest  posterity  a  succession  of  Heroes  hke  him  of  your 
illustrious  Race,  for  the  Support  and  Defence  of  Liberty  and  the 
Protestant  ReHgion,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  against  the  rest- 
less Ambition  and  dark  Machinations  of  Popery  and  Arbitrary 
Powers,  till  time  shall  be  no  more. 

"  Given  under  the  Common  Seal  of  the  said  Borough  of  New- 
bury, the  14th  day  of  June,  in  the  20th  year  of  your  Majesty's 
reign,  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  i746«." 

At  the  period  of  the  Rebellion  a  military  camp  was 
established  on  Greenham  Heath,  and  betvireen  five  and  six 
thousand  troops  were  encamped  on  that  part  of  the  Heath 
known  as  "  Peckmore."  Special  constables  were  also 
sworn  in,  and  the  inhabitants  generally  exhibited  a  patri- 
otic spirit.  Some  official  staves,  with  the  date  of  "  1745," 
apparently  for  the  use  of  the  special  constables  at  this 
time,  were  found  a  few  years  ago  in  removing  the  lumber 

"  This  Address  does  nor  appear  in  the  Corporation  Journal,  and  is  taken 
from  the  State  Papers,  Domestic  Series,  at  the  Public  Record  Office. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  335 

accumulated  in  the  vaults  beneath  the  Town  Hall.  A 
brass  medal  was  also  found,  struck  to  commemorate  the 
surrender  of  Carlisle  to  the  forces  of  William,  Duke  of 
Cumberland,  the  second  son  of  George  II.,  and  who  is  so 
highly  extolled  in  the  Corporation  address.  On  the  ob- 
verse is  a  well-executed  bust  of  the  Duke  in  profile,  and 
the  legend,  "  William,  Duke  of  Cumberland,  British  Hero, 
born  April  15,  1721."  The  reverse  has  the  Duke  on  horse- 
back, with  drawn  sword,  receiving  at  the  hands  of  a  soldier, 
who  doffs  his  cap,  two  prisoners  of  war,  bound,  whom  he 
appears  to  be  ordering  to  execution  ;  Legend,  "  Rebellion 
justly  rewarded;"  and  beneath,  "At  Carlisle,  Dec.  1745." 

The  Duke  of  Cumberland  was  somewhat  associated 
with  the  neighbourhood  of  Newbury,  as  he  spent  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  his  early  years  at  IVIidgham  House, 
the  residence  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  Stephen  Poyntz,  Preceptor 
and  Governor  to  His  Royal  Highness,  and  he  also  kept  a 
racing  establishment  at  Keate's  Gore,  near  East  Ilsley, 
where  the  celebrated  horse  "  Eclipse ''  is  said  to  have  been 
bred  and  trained.  The  house  and  stables  at  Keate's  Gore 
were  taken  down  about  the  year  1780,  by  order  of  the 
owner,  Mr.  Head,  of  Hodcott,  under  somewhat  peculiar 
circumstances.  The  Prince  of  Wales,  afterwards  George  IV., 
wished  to  purchase  the  house  and  stables,  JDut  Mr.  Head, 
having  been  subjected  to  some  annoyance  from  the  ser- 
vants of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  and  not  wishing  to  be 
so  discourteous  as  to  refuse  the  Prince,  had  the  whole  of 
the  buildings  levelled  with  the  ground. 

The  Duke  of  Cumberland  was  the  founder  of  the  Ascot 
race-meeting,  but  he  is  much  better  remembered  for  the 
remorseless  severity  which  he  exhibited  after  the  defeat 
of  the  unfortunate  Charles  Stuart. 


The  Corporation  Pewter  Plates,  1747. 

Some  few  years  since,  when  some  miscellaneous  prop- 
erty belonging  to  the  Corporation  was  disposed  of,  some 
interest  was  manifested  regarding  the  collection  of  pewter 
plates  which  formed  part  of  the  municipal  effects. 


336  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

Considerable  light  is  thrown  on  the  history  of  these 
useful  articles,  which  are  all  stamped  with  the  borough 
arms,  and  are  of  very  superior  manufacture,  by  the  fol- 
lowing entry  in  the  Journal  : — 

"August  15,  1747.  Mr.  John  Head,  junr.,  paid  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Richard  King,  the  Mayor,  the  sum  of  Twenty  pounds,  to 
be  excused  serving  the  office  of  Mayor  of  this  Borough  for  the 
year  ensuing,  which  said  Twenty  pounds  is  by  consent  of  the 
Mayor  and  approbation  of  the  whole  body  agreed  to  be  laid  out 
in  pewter  plates  for  the  use  of  the  Corporation  at  their  publick 
Entertainments  to  be  given  by  the  Mayor,  and  not  otherwise. 
And  it  is  agreed  that  every  Mayor  who  shall  lose  or  otherwise 
lessen  the  quantity  of  such  plates,  or  damage  the  same,  save  by 
their  reasonable  wear,  that  such  Mayor  shall  make  good  the 
same." 

In  1749  the  Chamberlain  was  instructed  to  provide  a 
sufficient  number  of  knives  and  forks,  stands  for  dishes, 
all  necessary  table-cloths  and  linen  for  Corporation  pur- 
poses. 

Races,  1749. 

Races  were  held  on  the  Wash  in  1749. 

Cock-throwing  in  the  Streets,  1750. 

At  the  January  Sessions,  1750,  the  Court  made  the  fol- 
lowing presentment : — 

"  We  present  as  a  nusance  the  throwing  at  Cocks  in  the  pub- 
lick  streets." 

This  inhuman  sport  of  throwing  at  cocks  was  practised 
at  Shrovetide,  and  nowhere  was  it  more  certain  to  be  seen 
than  at  the  Grammar-Schools.  The  poor  animal  was  tied 
to  a  stake  by  a  short  cord,  and  the  unthinking  men  and 
boys  who  were  to  throw  at  it  took  their  station  at  the 
distance  of  about  twenty  yards.  When  the  cock  belonged 
to  some  one  disposed  to  make  it  a  matter  of  business,  two 
pence  was  paid  for  three  shies  at  it,  the  missile  used  being 
a  broomstick.  This  sport  was  continued  till  the  poor 
creature  was  killed  outright  by  the  blows. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  337 

The  Newbury  "Flying  Coach"  started,  1752. 

The  modern  railway-traveller  will  scarcely  believe  the 
difficulties  and  dangers  which  had  to  be  encountered  by 
our  ancestors  in  undertaking  a  journey  between  one  part 
of  the  country  and  the  other. 

Of  the  former  character  of  the  roads  near  Newbury 
before  they  became  turnpike -roads,  we  have  evidence 
from  some  of  the  old  roadways  which  were  abandoned 
when  the  new  and  improved  highways  were  constructed 
towards  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century.  The  main 
road  from  Newbury  to  London  originally  left  the  line  of 
the  present  turnpike -road  at  the  point  where  Shaw 
Crescent  now  commences,  and  crossing  a  ford  of  the 
Lamborne  at  Shaw,  pursued  its  course  by  way  of  Clay  Hill 
to  Thatcham  Gate.  The  former  course  of  the  Bath  road, 
between  the  "Castle"  Inn  at  Speen  and  Speen  Hill,  was 
by  what  is  now  known  as  the  "  Back  Way,"  passing  through 
the  village  of  Speen,  near  the  vicarage ;  the  road  to 
Winchester  was  by  way  of  the  "  Old  Newtown  Road,"  at 
the  back  of  the  present  cemetery ;  the  road  to  Andover 
and  Salisbury  passed  on  the  west  side  of  St.  Bartholomew's 
Almshouses,  through  "  the  City,"  to  a  point  in  the  present 
Wash-road,  near  the  entrance  to  the  Recreation  Ground  ; 
and  the  main  road  to  Woodhay  and  other  parts  of  Hamp- 
shire lying  in  that  direction  was  by  "  Dark  Lane,"  which 
left  the  Enborne  road  near  "  Enborne-Gate  Farm,"  and 
came  out  on  the  Wash  near  the  pond.  This  must  have 
been  little  better  than  a  broad,  deep  ditch,  water-worn, 
and  strewn  with  loose  stones.  On  the  other  hand  the 
Oxford  road  branched  off  from  the  line  of  the  present 
road  at  Donnington  mill,  passed  through  the  village, 
where  it  turned  abruptly  up  the  existing  narrow  lane,  with 
high  banks  on  either  side,  into  "  Love  Lane,"  leading  to 
Shaw;  here  it  turned  again  at  right  angles,  and  proceeded 
through  what  are  now  the  gardens  of  Donnington  Lodge, 
and  gained  the  present  route  somewhere  near  the  cottages 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Oxford  road. 

In   August,    1752,   two    years   before   the   Manchester 

z 


338  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

"  Flying  Coach  "  was  started,  an  enterprising  firm  in  New- 
bury established  a  vehicle  of  this  description,  which  per- 
formed the  journey  from  Newbury  to  London  in  twelve 
hours,  or  about  4f  miles  an  hour.  The  original  announce- 
ment runs  as  follows  : — 

"  Newbury  Four  wheel'd  Stage  Chaise, 
Made  with  Steel  Springs,  to  carry  Four  Passengers  at 
Ten  Shillings  each  to  or  from  London. 
Sets  out  from  the  White  Hart  Inn,  in  Newbury,  on  Mondays, 
Wednesdays,  and  Fridays  at  Six  o'clock  in  the  Morning  to  the 
Saracen's  Head,  Snow  Hill ;  and  returns  from  thence  on  Tues- 
days, Thursdays,  and  Saturdays  ;  and  will  be  at  their  Quarters 
each  Evening  by  Six  ; 
Changes  horses  at  Thomas  Talmadge's,  the  Pelican  at  Twyford, 

and  at  Colnbrook. 
Places  taken  at  the  White  Hart  and  Saracen's  Head,  at  Five 
Shillings  Entrance :  each  Passenger  to  be  allow'd  eight  Pounds 
Weight.      Small  parcels  taken  in  at  the  above  Houses,  and 
carefully  deliver'd. 
N.B.  No  Money,  Plate,  Jewels,  or  Writings  lost  to  be  made  good, 

unless  enter'd  and  paid  for  as  such. 
The  said  Chaise  will  set  out  from  Newbury  on  Monday,  the 
second  of  October. 

Perform'd  by 

John  Clark  &  Co. 
Note  also.  There  are  Road  Waggons  set  out  from  Newbury  to 
the  Saracen's  Head,  Snow  Hill,  on  Mondays  and  Wednesdays, 
and  returns  Thursdays  and  Saturdays  ;  where  Gentlemen  may 
depend  upon  having  their  Baggage  taken  great  care  of  If  any 
Incivilities  are  offer'd  by  the  Drivers,  the  Proprietors  would 
take  it  kind  to  be  acquainted  therewith  at  Newbury." 

Stage  wagons  were  first  used  as  public  conveyances 
towards  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  century.  In  1600  a 
Mr.  Schofield,  of  Bucklebury,  started  a  road  wagon  from 
that  place  to  London,  and  they  were  soon  after  generally 
adopted  for  the  conveyance  of  light  goods  and  pas- 
sengers. 

Before  the  introduction  of  the  "  Flying  Coach,"  which 
earned  its  designation  by  the  fact  that  it  proposed  to 
travel  four  or  five  miles  an  hour,  the  Newbury  Stage- 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  339 

coach,  which  was  not  a  very  great  improvement  on  the  old 
stage-wagon,  but  with  the  body  resting  on  leather  springs 
instead  of  solidly  on  the  axles,  had  been  in  existence  for 
many  years.  Upon  the  projection  of  Messrs.  Clark  &  Co.'s 
fast  coach,  at  a  reduced  rate  of  fares  and  increased  ce- 
lerity, the  proprietors  of  the  Newbury  Stage-coach  an- 
nounced that,  in  their  own  defence,  they  intended  running 
on  September  19,  a  week  or  two  before  their  opponents, 
the  "  Newbury  Flying  Stage  -  Chaise,  made  with  steel 
springs,"  and  "  as  easy  as  any  Post  Chaise,"  to  carry  four 
passengers,  at  the  same  fare  as  the  opposition  fast  coach. 
To  set  out  from  the  "  Globe  "  Inn,  Newbury,  at  six  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  every  Tuesday,  Thursday,  and  Saturday, 
and  to  be  at  the  "  Bell  Savage  "  Inn,  Ludgate  Hill,  each 
evening  by  six  o'clock ;  changing  horses  at  Mr.  Smith's, 
the  "  Golden  Bear  "  Inn,  Reading,  and  at  Mr.  Englefield's, 
the  "  Ostrich  "  Inn,  at  Colnbrook.  "  To  be  perform'd,  if 
God  permit,  by  Elizabeth  Pinnell  and  Co." 

These  flying  coaches  were  the  precursors  of  Palmer's 
new  mail-coaches  in  1784.  At  this  time  the  post  coach, 
starting  from  London  on  Monday,  did  not  reach  Bath  till 
Wednesday,  although  the  New  Bath  Road''  had  been 
made  some  ten  years  previously.  The  first  mail-coach  in 
accordance  with  Mr.  Palmer's  plan,  was  one  from  London 
to  Bristol,  which  started  at  eight  in  the  morning  of  Au- 
gust 8,  1784,  and  passing  through  Newbury,  reached  its 
destination  at  eleven  at  night. 

The  system  of  rapid  mail  -  coaches  introduced  by 
Mr.  Palmer  lasted  up  to  the  days  of  railways,  but  the 
making  of  new  roads,  and  the  improved  form  of  the  stage- 
coach, effected  a  wonderful  change  in  the  performances  of 
the  mails.  For  example,  the  Edinburgh  mail,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  present  century,  performed  the  journey  from 

''  It  is  mentioned  in  the  "Gentleman's  Magazine"  for  December,  1752 
that  the  prejudice  entertained  against  the  tumpilces  was  so  strong,  that  in 
many  places  the  country  people  would  not  use  the  improved  roads  after  they 
were  made.  For  instance,  the  driver  of  the  Marlborough  coach  obstinately 
refused  to  use  the  new  Bath  road,  and  stuck  to  the  old  wagon-track  by  way 
of  Ramsbury.  He  was  an  old  man,  he  said  ;  his  grandfather  and  father  had 
driven  the  aforesaid  way  before  him,  and  he  would  continue  in  the  old  track 
till  death. 

Z  2 


34°  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

London  to  the  northern  capital,  400  miles,  in  a  little  over 
40  hours.  Stoppages  included,  this  approached  11  miles 
in  the  hour,  and  much  the  greater  part  of  it  by  lamplight. 
The  Devonport  mail  ran  over  her  ground,  227  miles,  in 
22  hours,  and  the  mail-coaches  from  London  to  Bath, 
through  Newbury  and  Devizes,  performed  the  journey  at 
an  equal,  if  not  superior,  rate  of  speed.  The  town  of 
Newbury,  being  about  midway  on  the  great  highway 
between  London  and  Bath,  was  one  of  the  busiest  points 
on  the  western  road  ;  and  at  the  "  George  and  Pelican  " 
Inn,  Speenhamland,  three  "  fours"  were  wont  to  be 
changed  in  less  than  an  hour ;  and  the  best  turned  out 
mails  and  coaches  in  England  were  accustomed  to  stop  at 
this  famous  hostelry. 

There  were  many  other  famous  coaching-inns  at  Speen- 
hamland and  Newbury  beside  the  "  George  and  Pelican." 
The  "  King's  Arms,"  in  the  London  Road,  now  converted 
into  private  houses ;  the  "  Cross  Keys,"  commemorated 
by  the  elder  Cruikshank'^ ;  the  "  Bear,"  at  Speenhamland, 
now  partly  occupied  by  Adnams'  brewery;  the  "Globe," 
now  rebuilt  and  occupied  as  the  bank  of  Messrs.  Slocock 
&  Co.  ;  the  "  White  Hart,"  still  flourishing  in  the  Market- 
place ;  the  "  Crown,"  which  has  been  transformed  into  the 
shop  and  premises  belonging  to  Mr.  Toomer,  in  North- 
brook-street ;.  and  many  other  old  inns  and  taverns  have 
long  since  passed  from  remembrance.  The  "  Castle,"  Speen, 
was  also  a  noted  coaching-inn,  and  on  one  occasion  King 
George  IV.  slept  at  this  house. 

The  change  effected  in  Newbury  by  the  introduction  of 
railroads  was  remarkable,  and  it  has  not  yet  recovered  the 
loss  of  so  important  an  interest,  but  it  is  to  be  hoped  that 
the  introduction  of  improved  railway  communication  will 
restore  to  the  town  that  commercial  importance  which 
distinguished  it  for  so  many  centuries. 

Of  the  many  stage-coach  proprietors  connected  with  the 
coaching  trade  in  Newbury  in  old  times  were  Messrs.  Pin- 
nell,  Clarke,  Kember  or  Kimber,  King,  Willis,  Pottinger, 

■=  In  Woodward's  "  Eccentric  Excursions,''  &c.,  Illustrated  by  Geo.  Cruik- 
shanlc.     (London,  Allen  and  Co.  1801.) 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  341 

Hancock,  Britton,  Lazenby,  Fromont,  Gilder,  Marshall,  and 
Lay  ;  and  of  road-wagon  proprietors,  Messrs.  Clarke,  King, 
Batten,  Basing,  Grobetty,  Machin,  Horner,  and  Clift. 

Kendrick's  Charity,  1752. 

The  Corporation,  as  Trustees  of  Kendrick's  Charity, 
appear  to  have  made  free  use  of  the  funds  for  which  they, 
as  Trustees,  were  responsible.  By  a  statement  made  out 
in  the  year  1687,  it  is  shewn  that  of  the  sum  of  ;£'4,000 
only  i^r, 175  remained,  which  was  lent  for  various  purposes, 
but  was  an  equitable  charge  upon  the  Corporation  estate. 

In  the  year  1752  there  is  an  entry  in  the  Corporation 
Journal  to  the  following  effect : — 

"  Whereas  a  considerable  sum  of  money  was  given  by  Mr. 
Kendrick  to  the  Corporation  in  Trust  for  applying  it  to  charitable 
uses,  which  doth  not  appear  to  have  been  at  all  times  regularly 
applied  according  to  the  Donor's  intention,  whereby  the  said 
Corporation  is  become  considerably  indebted  to  the  said  Charity, 
though  the  particulars  thereof  do  not  appear.  And  whereas  there 
is  likewise  now  due  from  the  said  Corporation  a  debt  of  ;^6i5, 
with  interest,  which  will  become  precarious  unless  some  alteration 
is  made  by  reducing  the  publick  expenses  hitherto  allowed.  It 
is  hereby  ordered  that  the  sum  of  Fifty  pounds,  that  hath  usually 
been  given  to  the  Mayor  for  keeping  a  Feast,  be  from  this  time 
discontinued." 

At  the  same  time  it  was  ordered  that  the  sum  of  ;^50  be 
given  annually  to  five  poor  men  and  women,  inhabitants 
of  the  borough,  who  shall  be  householders,  have  paid  poor- 
rates,  and  not  have  been  the  recipients  of  public  alms  or 
collections,  who  are  carrying  on  no  trade  at  the  time 
of  receiving  the  charity,  and  are  50  years  of  age.  It  was 
also  added  to  the  above  order : — 

"  That  the  men  who  are  appointed  for  this  Charity  are  to  walk 
in  procession  before  the  Corporation,  to  the  intent  that  those  who 
are  chose  maybe  generally  known,  and  that  the  said  Charity  may 
not  be  dechned.  It  is  hereby  ordered  that  the  women  who  may 
be  supported  from  this  Charity  do  for  the  same  reasons  attend  at 
the  Church  or  Hall  Doors  on  the  Charter  Day  for  swearing  the 
Mayor  in  every  year  with  a  Basket  of  Flowers,  and  give  one  to 
each  member  of  the  said  Corporation." 


342  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

The  Corporation  also  agreed  that  the  rent  of  the  house 
occupied  by  Henry  Barkesdale  be  allowed  to  the  Mayor, 
and  also  the  quit-rents  that  shall  annually  become  due. 


Prevalence  of  the  Small-pox  in  1753. 

The  small-pox  was  very  prevalent  in  the  borough  about 
this  time,  and  on  March  20,  i7S3.  the  Corporation  issued 
the  following  notice  : — 

"  Whereas  the  Small-pox  is  and  for  sometime  past  has  been 
within  this  Burrough  and  Parish,  and  it  being  imagined  that 
the  continuance  of  it  may  in  some  measure  be  owing  to  strangers 
coming  from  remote  parishes  and  places  to  be  inoculated  here, 
the  Surgeons  and  Apothecaries  here,  at  the  request  of  the  Mayor 
and  Corporation  and  principal  Inhabitants  of  our  town,  signed 
an  Agreement  in  writing  that  from  and  after  the  first  of  June  next 
they  will  not  inoculate  any  person  whatsoever  for  the  space  of 
two  years  within  this  Burrough,  who  is  not  an  Inhabitant  and 
Parishioner  of  the  Burrough  and  Parish. 

"  And  whereas,  notwithstanding  all  such  precautions,  it  is  to  be 
feared  that  that  Distemper  may  yet  continue  much  longer  amongst 
us  to  the  great  prejudice  of  the  Trade  and  Inhabitants  of  the 
place,  unless  by  encouraging  the  Laudable  practice  of  inoculation 
amongst  ourselves  the  same  may  be  sooner  carry'd  through  the 
Town,  Wherefore  if  any  persons  who  are  Inhabitants  and 
Parishioners  legally  settled  here,  and  who,  by  means  of  their 
poverty,  are  deterred  from  undergoing  the  Operation,  will  apply 
to  us  at  our  New  Town  House  any  Monday,  Wednesday,  and 
Fryday  before  the  sd  first  day  of  June  next,  betweene  the  Hours 
of  Eleaven  and  twelve  o'clock  in  the  Forenoon,  We  will  upon 
their  appearing  to  us,  or  any  three  or  more  of  us  then  attending 
to  be  proper  subjects,  sign  an  Order  to  such  Surgeon  and  Apo- 
thecary as  such  poor  person  shall  best  approve  of  to  prepare, 
inoculate,  and  attend  such  poor  person  during  his  or  her  prepa- 
ration for  inoculation  and  illness  of  the  said  Distemper.  And 
that  we  will  pay  to  each  and  every  such  Surgeon  and  Apothe- 
cary ten  shillings  for  his  attendance  on,  and  for  the  medicine  to 
be  given  such  persons. 

(Signed)  Jno.  Townsend  (Mayor),  Ed.  Walter,  John  Head, 
Joseph  Head,  John  Cox,  Rich'^.  Budd,  John  Head,  Fra=. 
Page,  Jas.  Head." 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  343 

Inoculation  from  small-pox  was  introduced  in  England 
from  Turkey  by  Lady  Mary  Wortley  Montagu.  In  171 8 
she  had  her  own  son  inoculated  at  Adrianople  with  perfect 
success  ;  and  she  was  allowed  to  have  it  tried,  for  the  first 
time  in  England,  on  seven  condemned  criminals,  7  Geo.  I., 
1721.  In  1722  two  of  the  royal  family  were  inoculated. 
In  1746  the  small-pox  hospital  was  founded  for  the  exten- 
sion of  the  practice  among  the  poor  of  London.  Dr.  Jen- 
ner  announced  his  discovery  of  vaccination  in  1796,  and 
inoculation  of  the  small-pox  was  gradually  superseded  by 
inoculation  with  the  cow-pox.  On  July  23,  1840,  the  prac- 
tice of  inoculation  of  the  small-pox  was  prohibited  by  an 
Act  of  Parliament,  3  and  4  Vict.  c.  29. 

Flogging  Women,  1754,  &c. 

The  practice  of  flogging  women  for  minor  offences  ap- 
pears to  have  been  very  general  in  the  seventeenth  and 
eighteenth  centuries,  and  the  following  instance  of  this 
degrading  and  cruel  mode  of  punishment  being  publicly 
inflicted  on  a  female  can  scarcely  be  realised  at  the 
present  day : — 

Sessions  held  May  7,  1754.  "At  this  Sessions  Sarah  Deacon, 
committed  for  an  illegitimate  child  till  this  Session  to  the  House 
of  Correction,  is  recommitted  for  a  month,  and  every  Fryday 
during  that  time  to  be  publickly  whipt  between  the  hours  of  two 
and  three  o'clock  in  the  Afternoon." 

Here  is  another  instance  which  occurred  at  the  Sessions 
held  in  January,  1757  : — 

"  Ann  Fisher  was  Indicted  for  feloniously  stealing  out  of  the 
Shop  of  one  Henry  Fleet  a  Leg  of  Pork,  to  which  Indictment 
she  pleaded  Guilty,  and  was  ordered  to  be  whip'd  the  next 
Market  day  at  the  publick  whipping  post." 

The  whipping-post,  it  may  be  added,  was  by  the  Market 
Cross,  at  the  south  end  of  the  old  Guildhall,  in  the  Mar- 
ket-place. 

Robinson's  and  Cross's  Charity,  1754. 

Benjamin  Robinson,  by  will  dated  September  28,  1754, 
established  three  almshouses  for  poor  weavers  (preference 


344  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

being  given  to  such  as  were  of  the  family  of  Robinson), 
and  endowed  them  with  2s.  per  week  each,  and  a  certain 
quantity  of  fuel. 

The  Corporation  Maces,  1758. 
In  December,  1758,  the  following  memorandum  occurs 
in  the  Journal : — 

"  Whereas  the  great  mace  hath  been  repaired  and  gilt,  agree- 
able to  the  Order  of  Oct.  7  last,  and  likewise  an  opportunity 
offers  of  exchanging  the  little  mace  upon  moderate  terms  for 
one  of  larger  size,  which  is  thought  more  desirable.'' 

The  "  great  mace  "  is  still  in  possession  of  the  Corpora- 
tion, and  bears  the  name  of  "  E.  Stewart,  Mayor,  1707." 
The  "  little  mace,"  most  probably  the  more  ancient  of  the 
two,  was  exchanged  for  that  now  used,  and  inscribed  with 
the  name  of  "John  Kimber,  Mayor,  1758." 

The  "  Kimber  Mace "  is  39  inches  in  length,  and  is  of 
silver-gilt.  The  open  arches  of  the  crown,  beneath  which 
are  the  royal  arms,  rise  from  a  circlet  of  fleurs-de-lis, 
foliage,  and  balls ;  and  the  head,  or  bowl,  which  is 
"  bulged,"  and  decorated  with  foliage,  &c.,  in  relief,  bears 
on  a  medallion  the  name  and  date,  "  John  Kimber, 
Mayor,  1758."  The  shafts  is  divided  into  three  lengths 
by  massive  knobs,  which,  as  well  as  the  base,  are  chased. 

Appointment  of  Organist,  1759. 

The  appointment  of  organist  of  the  parish  church  of 
Newbury  is  vested  in  the  Corporation,  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  Richard  Cowslade's  benefaction,  in  June, 
1715.  The  earliest  reference  to  the  appointment  in  the 
Corporation  Journals  is  in  June,  1759,  when  it  was  agreed 
that  the  widow  of  Mr.  Wheeler,  organist,  deceased,  should 
continue  to  enjoy  the  salary  which  her  late  husband  was 
paid  until  the  following  Michaelmas,  "  she  taking  care  that 
the  Organ  is  played  as  usual." 

On  the  succeeding  July  4  it  was  resolved — 

"  That  the  choice  of  an  Organist  be  in  favour  of  him  who 
appears  to  have  the  greatest  Personal  and  Musical  talent.  That 
the  24th  day  of  August  next  be  appointed  for  the  members  of 


Newbury  in  the  Eigliteenth  Century.  345 

the  Corporation  to  determine  upon  tlie  characters  of  the  several 
Candidates,  and  that  no  person  be  permitted  to  play  on  the  day 
of  Tryal  whose  character  shall  not  be  approved  of.  That  Wed- 
nesday, September  19  next,  be  appointed  for  the  day  of  Tryal. 
That  Mr.  Stanley  be  applied  to  by  the  Town  Clerk  to  know  the 
terms  upon  which  he  will  attend  on  the  day  of  Tryal  to  give  his 
Judgem'  on  the  Musicall  Performances  of  the  several  Candidates, 
and  that  he  will  return  the  names  of  those  two  Persons  to  the 
Corporation  who  appear  to  have  the  greatest  Musicall  merit  in 
order  that  they  may  choose  one  of  those  two  to  be  Organist.  And 
that  the  Trustees  of  Mr.  Cowslade's  Charity  be  appHed  to  to  issue 
the  money  to  defray  the  expense  of  Mr.  Stanley's  attendance. 

"John  Kimber,  Mayor," 
and  others. 

The  question  of  the  appointment  of  organist  again 
came  before  the  Council  on  August  24,  1759,  when  the 
names  of  the  following  candidates  were  approved  for  the 
"  day  of  Tryal :  "— 

"  Mr.  Thomas  Stoke,  Mr.  John  Raymond,  Mr.  Jeremiah  Dixon, 
Mr.  James  Pexell,  Mr.  Lawrence  Bagley,  Mr.  Richard  Wafer, 
Mr.  Freeborn,  Mr.  Richard  Coombs,  Mr.  John  Gibbs,  and  Mr. 
Joseph  Elton." 

In  case  Mr.  Stanley  should  dech'ne  to  adjudicate  it  was 
decided  to  ask  Dr.  Hayes,  of  Oxford,  to  give  his  attend- 
ance. 

On  September  5  the  Corporation  met  to  arrange  the 
preliminaries  for  the  contest  to  take  place  on  the  19th. 
First  of  all  the  Mayor  was  unanimously  desired  to  give 
directions  "  for  an  half  crown  Ordinary,"  and  secondly  it 
was  agreed  nem.  con.  "  that  the  expenses  of  Mr.  Stanley, 
and  the  several  Candidates,  both  ordinary  and  extra- 
ordinary, on  that  day  be  borne  by  the  Trustees  of  Cow- 
slade's Charity." 

The  Berkshire  Militia  at  Newbury,  1759. 
We  may  date  the  commencement  of  our  modern  Militia 
from  the  declaration  of  war  against  the  French  by  George 
II.,  in  1756,  which  was  immediately  followed  by  the  dec- 
laration of  the  French  King,  Louis  XV.,  against  this  coun- 
try.    The  re-establishment  of  the  Militia  was  a  popular 


346  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Centicry. 

object,  but  great  difficulties  were  experienced  at  first  in 
getting  the  new  laws  understood  by  the  people.  The  bill 
brought  in  by  the  Pitt  Ministry  at  first  met  with  great  op- 
position, principally  on  the  ballot  clauses.  Riots  took 
place  in  several  parts  of  England  against  the  Act,  many 
foolish  people  saying  it  was  only  a  law  got  up  for  the  poor 
to  defend  the  rich.  The  gentry  also  looked  coldly  upon 
it ;  such  was  the  aversion  to  the  ballot  ^. 

In  the  month  of  August,  in  the  year  1759,  which  was 
a  memorable  one  in  our  history,  as  that  in  which  the  battle 
of  Minden  was  fought  and  Quebec  was  taken  by  General 
Wolfe,  who  fell  mortally  wounded  in  the  hour  of  victory, 
the  newly-raised  regiment  of  Berkshire  Militia  marched 
into  Newbury.  The  regiment  was  commanded  by  Sir 
Willoughby  Aston,  Bart,  descended  from  Sir  Arthur 
Aston,  Governor  of  Oxford  and  Reading  for  the  King 
during  the  Civil  Wars,  and  from  Sir  Thomas  Aston,  also 
a  Royalist  officer  who  distinguished  himself  at  the  first 
battle  of  Newbury.  Sir  Willoughby  Aston  married  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Henry  Pye,  Esq.,  of  Faringdon,  and 
thus  established  a  connection  with  the  county  of  Berks. 
The  day  after  the  arrival  of  the  Militia,  "  the  21  of  August, 
the  whole  regiment  was  drawn  out,"  says  a  local  account, 
"  and  performed  their  military  exercises  to  the  great  de- 
light of  a  large  body  of  spectators."  The  officers  were 
"  elegantly  entertained  "  by  the  gentlemen  of  the  Cor- 
poration, who  ordered  ten  guineas  to  be  given  to  the 
private  men.  On  the  Sunday  following  the  regiment 
assembled  for  church  parade,  and,  preceded  by  their  band, 
marched  to  Newbury  church,  when  an  eloquent  and 
appropriate  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rector,  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Penrose,  and  which  was  afterwards  printed  at  the 
expense  of  the  officers.  After  a  week's  stay  the  regiment 
marched  to  Devizes. 

Mr.  Alderman  Kimber,  1759. 
Mr.  John  Kimber,  who  is  known  as  the  founder  of  Kim- 
ber's  Almshouses,  having  reported  to  the  Corporation  that 

^  Davis's  "  History  of  the  Second  Royal  Surrey  Militia,''  p.  76. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  347 

a  threatening  letter  had  been  dropped  in  the  porch  of  his 
house,  it  was  ordered,  on  September  8,  1759,  that  a  copy 
of  the  said  letter  be  inserted  in  the  "London  Gazette," 
"  Evening  Post,"  and  "  Reading  Mercury,"  with  the  offer 
of  a  reward  of  one  hundred  pounds  to  any  person  who 
shall  discover  the  person  or  persons  concerned  in  writing 
such  letter.  And  also  that  His  Majesty  be  appealed  to 
for  the  pardon  of  any  person  who  shall  discover  his  or  her 
accomplice  or  accomplices. 

Appointment  of  Organist,  1759. 

The  "  Day  of  Tryal "  for  the  appointment  of  organist 
having  arrived,  Mr.  Peter  Perfitt,  of  Wells,  who  is  not  men- 
tioned in  the  list  of  the  selected  candidates,  was  unani- 
mously elected  organist  of  the  borough. 

Marriage  of  a  Female  Soldier  at  Newbury 
Church,  1759. 

On  Nov.  3,  1759,  was  married  at  the  parish  church  of 
Newbury,  to  a  journeyman  carpenter,  Hannah  Snell,  who 
had  served  in  the  capacity  of  a  dragoon  in  the  army.  She 
had  also  served  in  the  navy,  her  sex  being  unknown,  and 
obtained  a  pension  from  both  services.  For  some  time 
before  her  death,  which  occurred  in  1792,  she  was  an  in- 
mate of  Chelsea  Hospital,  where  she  was  buried. 

The  Corporation  Charters,  1759. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  November  19,  1759,  the  Town 
Clerk  received  instructions  to  get  the  Charter  of  Incor- 
poration translated  and  fairly  transcribed  into  the  Book 
of  Ordinances. 

On  the  following  December  29  the  Charter  of  Queen 
Elizabeth,  dated  May  28  in  the  38th  year  of  her  reign, 
Letters  Patent  of  Charles  I.,  dated  May  12  in  the  2nd 
year  of  his  reign.  Letters  Patent  of  Charles  I.,  dated  May 
30  in  the  3rd  year  of  his  reign.  Letters  Patent  of  Charles 
II.,  dated  May  14  in  the  ist  year  of  his  reign,  the  Charter 
confirmed  by  Charles  II.,  dated  July  11  in  the  i6th  year 
of  his  reign,  were  delivered  into  the  custody  of  Mr.  James 


348  Newbury  in  tlie  EigJiteenth  Century. 

Head,  the  Town  Clerk,  in  order  that  they  might  be  trans- 
lated into  English.     Mr.  William  Annetts  being  Mayor. 

The  Charters  recovered  and  returned  to  the  Corpora- 
tion in  February,  1883,  comprised  the  following  docu- 
ments : — 

Charter  of  38th  Queen  Elizabeth,  the  Ordinances  41st 
Elizabeth,  Letters  Patent  3rd  Charles  I.,  Confirmation 
Charter  i6th  Charles  II.,  and  the  Charter  of  James  II. 
It  will  therefore  be  seen  that  the  Letters  Patent  2nd 
Charles  I.,  and  the  Letters  Patent  ist  Charles  II.  are  ab- 
sent, but  they  did  not  form  part  of  the  Municipal  docu- 
ments which  were  in  possession  of  Mr.  Hemsted  in 
1883. 

Military  Matters,  1760. 

The  town  authorities,  from  past  experiences,  appear  to 
have  had  a  great  dread  of  the  introduction  of  the  military 
into  the  neighbourhood,  as  on  May  19,  1760,  they  peti- 
tioned Lord  Bruce,  Treasurer  of  the  Household,  and  Lord 
Barrington,  Secretary  at  War,  that  a  proposed  camp  be 
formed  at  Reading,  instead  of  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Newbury. 

Proclamation  of  George  III.,  1760. 

King  George  III.  was  proclaimed  at  the  Market  Cross 
on  November  i,  1760.  The  Mayor,  Rector,  Recorder, 
Aldermen,  and  Burgesses,  accompanied  by  the  Weavers' 
and  Cordwainers'  Companies,  went  in  procession  to  the 
Market  Cross,  where  six  companies  of  the  Berkshire 
Militia  were  drawn  up.  The  proclamation  having  been 
read,  the  soldiers  fired  three  volleys,  "  and  all  drank  the 
King's  health."  The  following  names  are  appended  as 
witnesses  to  the  due  publication  of  the  proclamation  : — 
Henry  Cox,  Mayor,  W.  Le  Marchant,  Deputy- Steward 
(Recorder),  Thos.  Penrose,  Rector,  Richd.  Budd,  John 
Cox,  Geo.  Calverley,  Lypeatt  Bodman,  Lawrence  Head, 
Thos.  Golding,  Francis  Page,  Benj.  Merriman,  John  Kim- 
ber,  Wm.  Bodman,  Thos.  Lovidge,  Geo.  Jones,  Saml.  Too- 
mer,  Edward  Head. 


Neivlmry  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  349 

Address  to  King  George  III.,  1760. 

The  Corporation  on  the  following  November  28  adopted 
an  Address  to  His  Majesty  in  these  terms  :  — 

"  Most  Gracious  Sovereign. 

"  We  your  Majesty's  most  Dutifull  and  Loyal  Subjects,  the 
Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Burgesses  of  the  Borough  of  Newbury  in 
the  County  of  Berks,  prompted  by  the  powerful  sense  of  the 
many  great  and  publick  Benefits  derived  to  us  and  our  fellow 
subjects  from  the  Goodness  and  Wisdom  of  your  Royal  Grand- 
father, our  late  King  of  Blessed  Memory,  in  the  course  of  a  long 
and  glorious  Reign,  most  humbly  crave  leave  to  approach  your 
Royal  Throne,  with  most  sincere  expressions  of  our  unfeigned 
and  great  concern,  on  being  so  suddenly  deprived  of  so  inestim- 
able a  Blessing.  Permit  us  at  the  same  time,  and  for  the  like 
publick  consideration,  to  congratulate,  in  Transports  of  Joy, 
your  Majesty's  happy  Accession  to  the  Throne,  having  an  entire 
Reliance  upon  your  known  Wisdom,  and  early  attachment  to  our 
happy  Constitution,  and  the  great  and  princely  Vertues  so  as- 
siduously cultivated  and  eminently  conspicuous  in  your  Royal 
Breast.  That  the  security  and  flourishing  state  of  these  your 
Kingdoms  and  their  Dependencies,  and  the  preservation  and 
support  of  the  Religious  and  Civil-  Rights  of  your  Subjects,  will 
ever  continue  to  be  the  principal  objects  of  your  Royal  and 
paternal  Care  and  Government.  To  view  from  your  first  ascent 
to  the  Throne  your  Majesty's  Dominions  at  home  and  abroad 
involved  in  a  wastefuU  and  destructive  war,  must  be  very  sen- 
sibly affecting  to  your  distinguish'd  Humanity  and  Goodness  of 
Heart.  But  to  behold  at  the  same  time,  the  Victories  and  trium- 
phant Progress  of  your  Fleets  and  Armies,  in  all  parts  of  the 
known  World,  as  well  since  as  before  the  Overtures  of  Peace,  so 
generously  made  to  our  implacable  enemies,  and  by  them  as 
haughtily  rejected,  cannot  but  be  attended  with  the  highest 
degree  of  publick  spirited  satisfaction.  May  the  Supreme  Dis- 
poser of  all  events  be  graciously  pleas'd  to  continue  so  to  bless 
and  prosper  your  Majesty's  Counsels  and  Arms  that  you  may 
soon  become  the  Happy  Instrument  in  his  Almighty  Hand  of 
Humbling  their  pride  into  an  acquiescence  under  equitable  and 
Honourable  Terms  of  a  solid  and  lasting  peace.  And  may  your 
Majesty,  after  a  long  and  uninterrupted  Injoyment  of  the  blessed 
Fruits    of  that,    and    of  the    happy   unanimity   now    subsisting 


3 so  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

amongst  your  Subjects,  late,  very  late,  transmit  that,  and  all 
other  Blessings  of  a  long  and  Glorious  Reign,  with  the  Crown 
of  these  Realms,  in  your  Royal  House  to  latest  posterity. 

"  Henry  Cox,  Mayor," 
and  others. 


Licences,  i;6i. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Corporation  in  April,  1761,  it  was 
agreed  "  as  the  sense  of  the  members  whose  names  are 
subscribed"  that  no  more  licences  should  be  granted  to 
any  public-houses  within  the  borough,  in  addition  to  the 
following : — 

At  the  sign  of  the  White  Hart,  now  occupied  by  Edwd.  Pointer. 

„  Mermaid                   „  Thomas  Barefoot. 

„  White  Lion                ,,  Thomas  Mason. 

„  Hatchet                     „  Joseph  Bastar. 

„  Sun  and  Tuns            ,,  William  Dallison. 

,,  The  Cock          now  void. 

„  Black  Bear,  now  occupied  by  Widow  Keens. 

„  Bishop  Blaze             „  William  Green. 

„  Weavers'  Arms           „  Amy  Rose. 

„  Jolly  Weavers            „  Thomas  North. 

„  Rose  and  Crown       „  Henry  Smith. 

„  Hind's  Head             „  Benjamin  Moss. 

„  Catherine  Wheel       „  Richard  Pointer. 

„  Town  Arms               „  John  Townsend  ^ 

„  Waggon  and  Horses  „  Henry  Haskins. 

„  Greyhound                „  William  Moss. 

„  Swan                          „  John  Greenwood. 

„  Half  Moon  and  Magpie    „    William  Arundell. 

„  Lamb                         „  William  Lawrence. 

„  Dolphin                      „  John  Knight 

„  Eight  Bells                „  Joseph  Harding. 

„  Man  in  the  Moon     „  Christopher  Nation. 

„  Bull  and  Gate            „  John  Cooke. 

„  Black  Boys                „  Widow  Hamblin. 

„  London  Prentice       „  John  Kent. 

«  There  were  two  John  Townsends  in  the  town  at  this  time,  but  they  do 
not  appear  to  have  been  connected.     The  above  was  Town-Sergeant. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 


351 


At  the  sign  of  the  Bull  and  Dogg, 
Gun  at  Wash  Gate 
Coopers'  Arms 
Ship 

Half  Moon 
Two  Brewers 
Globe 
Fountain 

Crown,  North  croft 
Three  Trouts 
Bush 

Red  Lion 
Elephant 
Monument 
Ram 
Jack  of  Newbury 


now  occupied  by  —  Horter. 

„  Edmund  King. 

,,  James  Skeates. 

„  James  Clarke. 

„  George  King. 

„  Richard  Dredge. 

„  John  Pottinger. 

,,  PhiHp  Brice. 
Lane    „    Widow  Martin. 

,,  Joseph  Munville. 

„  Widow  Summersbye. 

,,  Arthur  Bray. 

,,  Thomas  White. 

„  Thomas  Field. 

,,  William  Sadler. 

„  John  Tanner. 


Upon  the  marriage  of  George  III.  the  Corporation,  on 
October  21,  1761,  in  a  special  address,  desired  to  offer 
their  "  most  dutiful  and  sincere  Congratulations  on  the 
Joyful  and  interesting  subject."  Commending  the  King's 
"  most  auspicious  choice  of  a  Princess  of  the  most  illus- 
trious House  of  Mecklenberg,  ever  zealously  attached  to 
the  Protestant  Religion."  The  many  virtues  of  the  Prin- 
cess giving  "the  most  pleasing  prospect  of  the  highest 
degree  of  Conjugal  Felicity  ever  attending  a  Royal  Pair, 
so  eminently  distinguished  and  form'd  by  Heaven  for  a 
Happy  Union."  Concluding  with  an  expression  of  "  well 
grounded  Hope  "  that  the  King  and  his  Royal  Consort 
may  be  "the  means  of  a  glorious  and  uninterrupted  suc- 
cession of  Christian  Heroes,  lineally  descended  from  this 
so  wisely  cemented  and  blessed  union,  being  preserved 
and  perpetuated  till  time  shall  be  no  more." 

"  William  Bodman,  Mayor," 
and  others. 


Festivities,  1763. 

On  April  30,  1763,  the  Corporation  ordered  that  on  the 
ensuing  Thanksgiving  Day,  May  5,  a  dinner  be  provided 
at  the  "Globe"  Inn,  to  which  several  gentlemen  named  in 


352  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Ceiitury. 

a  list  be  invited  at  the  expense  of  the  Corporation,  but 
that  the  members  of  that  body  "be  at  their  own  joint 
expense;"  and  that  a  dinner  be  provided  at  the  "Town 
Arms"  for  the  borough  officials,  "and  that  one  shilling 
a  piece  be  given  to  the  Soldiers,  and  three  Barrells  of 
Beer  to  the  populace,  also  at  the  expense  of  this  Cor- 
poration." 


Ceremony  on  the  Swearing  in  the  High 
Steward,  1765. 

Upon  William,  Lord  Craven,  attending  to  be  sworn  as 
High  Steward  of  the  borough,  April  8,  1765,  the  following 
was  the  order  of  the  proceedings  : — 

"  The  Corporation  assembled  in  their  Gowns  and  with  the 
Sergeants  in  Front,  received  his  Lordship  out  of  his  coach  at  the 
Foot  of  the  Stairs  leading  to  the  Guildhall,  when  his  Lordship 
took  the  right  of  the  Mayor,  and  went  up  the  Stairs,  lined  on 
each  side  by  the  members  of  the  Corporation  according  to  their 
seniority,  and  in  that  order  went  into  the  Hall ;  when  seated 
there  the  Town  Clerk  read  the  clause  in  Queen  Elizabeth's 
Charter  relating  to  the  power  of  electing  a  competent  Steward, 
then  the  minutes  of  his  Lordship's  election,  then  the  clause  in 
the  Book  of  Ordinances  requiring  all  persons  bearing  any  office 
to  take  the  Oath  of  Supremacy  therein  contained,  then  the  Oath 
was  administered,  and  then  the  Recorder  in  the  name  of  the 
Corporation  returned  his  Lordship  thanks  for  the  Honour  he 
had  then  conferred  upon  them.  Afterwards  the  Corporation 
waited  upon  his  Lordship  at  the  New  Buildings  and  partook  of 
an  elegant  entertainment  given  by  his  Lordship.  The  Con- 
stables, Tythingmen,  and  Bailiffs  attending  with  their  Staves." 


The  Corporation  Charters,  1765. 

The  Charters  having  been  fairly  transcribed  were  re- 
turned to  the  Corporation  on  August  7,  1765,  and  the 
copies  with  the  originals  were  ordered  to  be  put  into  the 
public  chest. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 


353 


Residents  in  Newbury  in  1765. 

The  following  names  of  some  of  the  residents  in  New- 
bury in  1765  are  taken  from  a  list  of  members  of  "The 
Laudable  Annuity  Society  "  of  that  year. 


Names. 

Description. 

Names. 

Description. 

Francis  Page 

Merchant. 

Thomas  Knight 

Upholder. 

Edward  Withers,  jut 

I.  Surgeon. 

John  Woodroffe 

Plumber. 

Rev.  Thos.  Penrose 

Rector. 

James  Clarke ' 

Carpenter. 

Benjamin  Barnard 

Agent. 

Thomas  Mason 

Victualler. 

Richard  Vokins 

Gent. 

Joseph  Blagrave 

Attorney. 

Richard  Baily 

Merchant. 

Samuel  Toomer 

Ironmonger. 

Joseph  Nias,  senr. 

Butcher. 

JohnTappsBrunsdon  Surgeon. 

Joseph  Nias,  junr. 

Ironmonger. 

William  Bodmari 

Mercer. 

Joseph  Bastar 

Victualler. 

Samuel  Parkes 

Mealman. 

Thomas  Saxon 

Saddler. 

Joseph  Bunny 

Surgeon. 

Charles  Mahon 

Grocer. 

Thomas  Davis 

Upholder. 

Henry  Marriner 

Surgeon. 

Anthony  Woodroffe 

Schoolmaster. 

George  Woods 

Victualler. 

John  Stratton 

Chandler. 

William  Snoswell 

Coachmaker. 

Richard  Dredge 

Victualler. 

George  Kember 

Saddler. 

John  Brown 

Bricklayer. 

William  Friend,  juni 

:.  Surgeon. 

William  Rolls 

Currier. 

William  Habgood 

Scrivener. 

John  King 

Carrier. 

Philip  Brice 

Victualler. 

Francis  Rawlins 

Mealman. 

Richard  Perry 

Cooper. 

John  Townsend 

Brewer. 

Francis  Lewis 

Gent. 

Joseph  Fumell 

Cheesemonger. 

William  Withers 

Grocer. 

John  Collins 

Draper. 

Crispin  Marsh 

Salesman. 

George  White 

Victualler. 

Jonathan  Farrow 

Butcher. 

John  Sadler 

Victualler. 

Samuel  Hancock 

Innholder. 

William  Hancock 

Barber. 

George  Jones 

Attorney. 

John  Townsend 

Victualler. 

John  Baker 

Cooper. 

Edward  Burgess 

Shoemaker. 

Jonathan  Coombs 

Grocer. 

William  Harding 

Grocer. 

John  Jackson 

Draper. 

Thomas  Blandy 

Grocer. 

John  Homblo 

Mealman. 

William  Pettit 

Staymaker. 

William  Bray 

Victualler. 

Andrew  Grove 

Tanner. 

William  Eyles 

Carpenter. 

Edward  Sandy 

Cheesefactor. 

Osman  Vincent 

Mercer. 

Thos.  M=Cormack 

Saddler. 

John  Townsend,  jun. 

Mealman. 

Joseph  Coxhead 

Victualler. 

Bread  Riot  at  Newbury  in  1766. 

The  costly  wars  in  which  England  was  engaged  almost 
continuously  -  throughout   the   eighteenth  century  had  a 

'  The  term  '  carpenter  '  as  here  used  is  synonymous  with  '  builder '  of  the 
present  day.  The  Clarkes  were  eminent  builders  in  this  town,  and  erected 
the  Town-hall,  the  bridge,  the  block  of  buildings  in  the  London  road,  for- 
merly the  "King's  Arms,"  and  most  of  the  principal  houses  in  Newbury  of 
that  date. 

A  a 


354  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

most  disastrous  effect  on  the  manufacturing  resources  of 
the  country,  and  almost  paralysed  many  branches  of  in- 
dustry. Especially  was  this  the  case  as  regards  the 
clothing  trade,  in  which  Newbury  was  at  this  time  still 
considerably  engaged,  consequently  there  was  a  great 
scarcity  of  employment,  and  the  common  necessaries  of 
life  were  raised  to  so  high  a  price  by  those  who  were  able 
to  take  advantage  of  the  monopoly  they  enjoyed,  that  the 
poor  were  crushed  down  to  a  pitiable  state  of  starvation 
and  despair.  It  was  therefore  no  wonder,  although  not 
to  be  excused,  that  when  no  one  would  stand  up  to  be  the 
poor  man's  friend,  the  bread-winners  of  that  day  at  last 
rose  in  defence  of  their  starving  families  to  vindicate  the 
wrongs  to  which  they  felt  they  had  been  subjected.  The 
millers  and  bakers  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood  were 
the  especial  offenders,  as,  notwithstanding  the  price  of 
wheat  was  not  immoderately  high,  they  kept  up  the  price 
of  bread  much  in  excess  of  what  was  fair  and  legitimate. 
The  long  subdued  feelings  of  discontent  at  last  found 
forcible  expression,  and  on  Thursday,  August  7,  1766, 
being  market-day,  a  great  number  of  poor  persons  as- 
sembled in  the  Market-place  during  the  time  the  market 
was  being  held,  and  upset  the  sacks  of  corn  pitched  for 
sale,  the  butchers'  stalls,  and  the  stands  of  various  other 
traders,  doing  a  large  amount  of  damage  ;  corn,  meat, 
poultry,  butter,  eggs,  and  all  sorts  of  provisions  being 
scattered  about  all  over  the  streets.  The  rioters  then 
wrecked  the  two  houses  of  two  obnoxious  tradesmen,  and 
entering  the  bakers'  and  provision- dealers'  shops  also  threw 
their  contents  into  the  roadways.  These  violent  proceed- 
ings so  intimidated  the  bakers  that  they  immediately 
lowered  the  price  of  bread  2d.  in  the  peck  loaf,  and  pro- 
mised to  reduce  it  to  %d.  the  gallon  the  following  week. 
The  mob  apparently  not  satisfied  with  this  assurance,  and 
determined  to  expend  their  resentment  on  other  offending 
parties,  proceeded  to  Shaw  Mill,  where  they  threw  the 
flour  into  the  river,  broke  the  windows  of  the  house,  and 
did  other  considerable  damage  there,  as  well  as  at  several 
other  mills,  to  the  amount  of  nearly  ;^  1,000.     A  poor  man 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  355 

of  the  name  of  Parker  was  killed,  who  left  a  wife  and  four 
young  children  ;  another  man  had  his  arm  broken,  and 
other  injuries  were  sustained  in  the  affray.  The  magis- 
trates of  the  town,  seeing  the  serious  character  the  organ- 
ization was  assuming,  despatched  a  message  to  the  Sec- 
retary of  State  for  War,  who  immediately  sent  off  a  troop 
of  Lord  Albemarle's  dragoons,  and  Capt.  Coxe's  com- 
pany of  infantry,  whose  arrival  prevented  any  further 
disorderly  proceedings.  A  public  subscription  was  raised 
in  Newbury  to  supply  the  poor  with  bread  at  c^d.  the  gal- 
lon, and  the  millers  agreed  to  grind  their  wheat  free  of 
cost.  Many  of  the  officials  and  farmers  in  country 
■parishes,  and  private  persons,  also  undertook  to  supply 
the  poor  with  wheat  at  a  lower  price  than  that  charged 
to  the  general  public,  and  much  practical  commiseration 
appears  to  have  been  shewn  for  their  unfortunate  position. 
The  Corporation  of  Newbury,  in  order  that  farmers  and 
dealers  might  not  be  intimidated  from  coming  to  the 
markets,  made  good  the  damage  they  had  sustained ;  and 
the  military  being  withdrawn,  the  town  soon  resumed  its 
normal  quietude.  Some  of  the  rioters  were  tried  at  the 
following  Assizes,  and  two  of  them  received  sentences  of 
transportation. 

Newbury  Bridge  Built,  1769. 
On  July  28,  1769,  the  first  stone  was  laid  of  the  present 
bridge  over  the  Kennet  at  Newbury  s. 

Mayor's  Banquet,  1769. 
At  the  inaugural  banquet  given  by  Mr.  Israel  King,  the 
newly-elected  mayor,  the  turtle  provided  weighed  nearly 
2  cwt. 

Chandeliers  for  the  Town  Hall,  1770. 

On  March  13,  1770,  Mr.  Richard  Townsend,  on  behalf 
of  the  subscribers  to  the  Assemblies  at  the  Town  Hall, 
proposed  to  pay  one  half  of  the  cost  of  the  two  new  glass 
chandeliers  to  be  placed  in  the  great  room  of  the  Hall, 

B  This  bridge  was  built  by  the  Corporation,  at  a  cost  somewhat  exceeding 

A  a  2 


356  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

and  it  was  resolved  that  the  Corporation  pay  the  other 
half,  not  exceeding  £\S,  and  that  Mr.  Toomer  be  desired 
to  buy  them. 

Subsequently  Mr.  Richard  Townsend  was  ordered  on 
the  same  occasion  to  dispose  of  the  large  chandelier 
"formerly  given  to  the  Corporation  by  Fulwar,  Lord  Craven, 
the  present  Lord  Craven  having  given  his  consent  thereto,  and 
having  given  a  handsome  glass  one  to  hang  up  in  its  stead." 

The  Marsh,  1772. 

In  October,  1772,  the  Court  Leet  jury  present — 

"  That  no  persons  belonging  to  or  parishioners  of  this  borough 
shall  put  into  the  Common  called  the  Marsh  more  than  one 
horse,  or  two  cows,  and  that  none  but  parishioners  have  a  right 
to  turn  cattle  there." 

NORTHCROFT,  1 772. 

There  are  frequent  orders  about  this  time  that  North- 
croft  shall  be  cleared  of  cattle  on  April  6  in  each  year, 
until  re-opened  for  pasturage  on  Lammas- Day,  August  i. 

Gift  of  Capt.  Seeley  to  the  Corporation,  1774. 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  on  St.  Matthew's  Day,  1774, 
Mr.  Osman  Vincent,  in  the  name  of  Capt.  John  Seeley,  of 
the  Northington  East  Indiaman  (a  descendant  of  John 
Seeley  who,  in  1667,  bequeathed  a  considerable  sum  for 
the  benefit  of  the  poor  of  Newbury),  presented  to  the 
Corporation  "  two  large  handsome  China  Bowls,  with  the 
Town  Arms  painted  thereon,"  which  were  accepted,  and 
thanks  ordered  to  be  returned  to  Capt.  Seeley  for  the 
gift. 

These  bowls,  no  doubt  of  rare  and  costly  china,  were 
probably  sold,  with  other  Corporation  effects,  about  forty- 
five  years  ago. 

Stag-hunting  in  1775. 

On  the  morning  of  November  11,  1775,  a  stag  was 
turned  out  before  His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Cum- 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  357 

berland's  hounds,  on  Stockbridge  race-ground,  which 
afforded  exceeding  fine  sport ;  he  first  led  away  to  Red 
Rice,  and  from  thence  to  Andover ;  he  thence  travelled 
the  country  back  through  Penton  to  Doles  woods,  St.  Mary 
Bourne,  Doyley  wood,  and  from  thence  to  the  Three 
Legged  Cross,  Crux  Easton,  and  over  Wash  Common 
towards  Newbury,  within  a  mile  of  which  place  he  was 
pulled  down.  The  Duke  of  Cumberland,  not  the  Hero  of 
CuUoden,  but  Henry  Frederick,  a  younger  brother  of 
King  George  HI.,  with  a  number  of  the  nobility  who  were 
in  this  famous  run,  afterwards  dined  at  the  Castle  Inn, 
Speen  Hill. 

The  Mansion  House  Pictures,  1776. 

"The  Rt.  Honble.  Mr.  Herbert"  presented  the  two 
pictures  now  in  the  Town  Hall  to  the  Corporation,  and  on 
January  26,  1776,  it  was  ordered  that  thanks  be  conveyed 
to  him  for  his  gift. 

The  donor  of  these  pictures,  which  are  beautiful  copies 
by  Cosino  Fioravante,  from  Rubens'  Choice  of  Hercules, 
and  the  Dire  Effects  of  War,  was  the  Rt.  Honble.  Henry 
Herbert,  Privy  Councillor,  and  EL.D.,  who  was  created 
Oct.  17,  1780,  Lord  Porchester,  of  Highclere,  co.  South- 
ampton ;  and  advanced  to  the  Earldom  of  Carnarvon, 
July  3,  1793.  His  lordship,  who  came  to  reside  at  High- 
clere in  1769,  was  possessed  of  great  judgment  and  taste, 
to  which  the  park  and  pleasure-grounds  owe  their  present 
beauty. 

Gift  to  the  Poor. 

On  February  19,  1776,  the  thanks  of  the  Corporation 
were  ordered  to  be  given  to  Mrs.  Griffiths  for  the  gift  of 
;^ioo  given  to  the  poor  of  Newbury  by  the  late  Christopher 
Griffith,  Esq.,  deceased. 

Mr.  Christopher  Griffith  was  M.P.  for  the  county  of 
Berks  from  1774  until  his  death  in  1776.  His  seat  was  at 
Padworth,  the  manor  of  which  place  came  into  the  family 
by  marriage  with  the  Brightwells,  about  the  year  1700. 
The  portrait  of  Mr.  Griffith  was  formerly  hung  in  the 
Council  Chamber. 


358  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

Festivities  in  1776. 

A  Committee  was  appointed  August  31,  1776,  to  pro- 
vide an  entertainment  on  the  Feast-day  of  the  Mayor- 
elect.  Seventy  gentlemen  were  to  be  invited,  and  each 
member  of  the  Corporation  was  allowed  to  introduce  a 
friend,  paying  for  the  same  the  sum  of  five  shillings. 
Each  member  was  also  allowed  to  give  four  tickets  for  the 
ball  in  the  evening,  to  which  no  child  was  to  be  admitted 
under  the  age  of  twelve  years.  The  music  for  both  din- 
ner and  ball  to  be  provided  at  the  expense  of  the  Cor- 
poration. 

The  Small-pox,  in  1778. 

In  November,  1778,  the  town  authorities  petitioned 
Lord  Barrington,  Secretary-at-War,  stating  that  the  poor 
were  very  numerous,  and  the  taxes  very  high,  and  it  was 
with  great  difficulty  the  poor  were  supported,  owing  to  the 
falling  off  of  the  clothing-trade  and  the  dearness  of  pro- 
visions. That  the  Oxfordshire  Militia  were  quartered 
upon  the  town,  and  that  one  of  them,  having  fallen  ill  with 
the  small-pox,  orders  had  been  sent  to  inoculate  all  those 
who  have  not  had  it.  Being  much  alarmed  thereby  the 
petitioners  request  that  the  order  be  postponed  till  the 
spring,  "  as  this  is  the  only  season  the  Markets  are  so 
large." 

Admiral  Keppel,  1778. 

In  1778  Admiral  Keppel,  second  son  of  William  Anne ''^ 
2nd  Earl  of  Albemarle,  commanded  the  Channel  fleet, 
and  in  the  same  year  fell  in  with  the  French  under 
Count  D'Orvilliers,  off  Ushant,  A  partial  action  ensued 
which  the  English  Admiral  intended  to  renew  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  but  when  the  day  dawned  the  enemy  had 
retired.  After  the  engagement  there  was  much  mur- 
muring throughout  the  English  fleet,  because  a  decisive 
victory  had  not  been  obtained  over  the  French.  The 
blame  was  thrown  upon  Sir  Hugh  Palliser,  Vice-Admiral 
of  the  Blue,  who  soon  after  preferred  a  charge  against 
Admiral  Keppel,  upon  whom  a  court-martial  was  held  at 
'■  Queen  Anne  stood  lis  godmother  in  person,  and  thence  the  second  name. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  359 

Portsmouth,  when  he  was  honourably  acquitted,  which  pro- 
duced great  satisfaction  throughout  the  country.  The 
town  of  Newbury  was  brilliantly  illuminated,  and  many 
other  manifestations  of  joy  were  exhibited  by  all  ranks  on 
account  of  the  Admiral's  acquittal,  who,  by  a  singular 
coincidence,  slept  in  Newbury  on  the  night  of  the  cele- 
bration in  his  honour.  Afterwards  Sir  Hugh  Palliser,  the 
Admiral's  accuser,  was  tried  by  court-martial,  and  he  like- 
wise was  acquitted,  though  a  slight  censure  was  passed 
upon  him  for  not  making  the  state  of  his  ship  known  to 
the  Admiral ;  his  conduct  in  other  respects  was  declared 
to  be  meritorious.  In  1782  Admiral  Keppel  was  raised 
to  the  peerage. 

Dispensary  established  in  Newbury,  1778. 

In  the  year  1778  a  Dispensary  was  established  in  New- 
bury "  for  the  purpose  of  relieving,  with  advice  and  medi- 
cine gratis,  such  persons  whose  poverty  and  indigence 
will  not  enable  them  to  procure  other  medical  assistance." 

Oxfordshire,  Worcestershire,  and  Leicestershire 
Militia  Regiments  at  Newbury,  1779. 

The  Oxfordshire  Militia  were  quartered  in  Newbury 
during  the  winter  of  1779,  and  had  a  grand  field-day  pre- 
vious to  their  departure  for  Dover  Castle.  In  the  month 
of  October  in  this  year  the  Worcestershire  Militia  marched 
into  Newbury,  and  in  December  following  the  Leicester- 
shire Militia  Regiment  arrived  here,  and  were  quartered 
in  the  town  during  the  succeeding  winter. 

Inoculation  for  the  Small-pox,  1780. 

On  January  5,  1780,  the  Mayor  was  requested  to  attend 
Col.  Cox,  of  the  Somerset  Militia,  to  desire  he  will  not 
order  any  other  men  of  his  regiment  to  be  inoculated 
than  those  already  quartered  in  the  town  and  Speenham- 
land. 

On  March  11,  1782,  it  was  ordered  that  a  petition  be 
sent  to  the  Duke  of  Dorset,  Colonel  of  the  West  Kent 
Regiment  of  Militia,  quartered  in  the  borough,  stating  the 


360  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

injury  likely  to  arise  to  the  town  in  case  the  execution  of 
his  Grace's  order  for  the  inoculation  of  the  regiment  should 
be  carried  into  execution,  and  praying  for  a  countermand 
of  such  order. 

Admiral  Rodney's  Victory  over  the  French, 

1782. 

The  news  of  the  victory  of  Admiral  Sir  George  Rodney 
over  the  French  fleet  going  to  attack  Jamaica,  April  12, 
1782,  in  which  engagement  five  ships  of  the  line  were 
taken  from  the  enemy,  and  the  French  admiral,  Count  de 
Grasse,  sent  prisoner  to  England,  was  received  with  great 
manifestations  of  joy  at  Newbury.  The  West  Kent  Mi- 
litia, then  quartered  in  the  town,  fired  a  feu  de  joie  in  the 
Market-place;  the  officers  were  "elegantly  entertained" 
at  the  Mansion  House  by  the  Mayor  and  Corporation, 
and  illuminations  were  general.  Five  barrels  of  strong 
beer  were  given  to  the  populace  by  the  gentlemen  of  the 
Corporation  to  stimulate  their  enthusiasm,  but  everything 
appears  to  have  passed  off  pleasantly,  and  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

Proclamation    upon    the    Termination    of    the 
American  War   of    Independence    and    Con- 
clusion   OF    Peace   with   France  and   Spain, 
1783. 
February  27,  1783.     "Upon  this  day  the  Corporation  met  at 
the  New  Town  House,  from  whence  they  proceeded  in  form  to 
the  Market  Cross,  attended  by  the  Constables  and  other  Oificers 
of  the  said  Borough,  the  Mayor  holding  the  Proclamation  of  a 
Cessation  of  Arms  by  Sea  and  Land  in  hand,  and  at  that  place 
he  delivered  the  same  to  the  Town  Clerk,  who,  after  Proclama- 
tion was   called   for  silence,  read  the  same  Proclamation   for 
Cessation  of  Arms,  and  returned  the  same  to  the  Mayor,  who, 
together  with  the  Procession  above  mentioned,  returned  to  the 
New  Town  House  aforesaid.     The  Companies  of  Weavers  and 
Cordwainers  also  attended,  together  with  the  military  then  in 
quarters. 

"John  Townsend,  Mayor," 
and  others. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  361 

Military  Matters,  1783. 

It  was  ordered  on  May  24,  1783,  that  the  Town  Clerk 
write  a  letter  to  the  members  for  the  county  requesting 
them  to  apply  to  the  Secretary  of  War  for  the  total 
removal  of  the  Seventh  Regiment  of  Dragoons,  stating  the 
many  grievances  sustained  by  the  borough  during  the 
war. 

Proclamation  of  the  Definitive  Treaty  of 

Peace  between  England,  France,  Spain, 

and  America,  1783. 

October  9,  1783.  "The  Corporation  having  met  at  the  New- 
Town  House,  proceeded  in  their  formalities  to  the  Market  Cross, 
attended  by  the  Constables  and  other  officers,  when  the  Mayor 
delivered  to  the  Town  Clerk  the  Proclamation  of  a  Definitive 
Treaty  of  Peace  and  ffriendship  with  the  most  Christian  King  of 
Spain  having  been  concluded  and  ratified,  and  commanded  the 
same  to  be  taken  notice  of  and  conformed  unto,  and  the  same 
was  read  by  the  Town  Clerk  in  the  presence  of  the  Corporation. 
The  7th,  or  Queen's  Regiment,  attending  the  same. 

"  Samuel  Toomer,  Mayor," 
and  others. 

George  III.  at  Newbury,  1784. 

On  October  4,  1784,  King  George  III.,  the  Queen,  and 
two  of  the  young  Princesses  arrived  at  the  "  George  and 
Pelican"  Inn,  at  Speenhamland,  where  horses  were  changed, 
en  route  to  the  Marquis  of  Ailesbury's  seat  at  Tottenham 
Park,  near  Marlborough.  The  royal  party  passed  through 
Speenhamland  on  their  return  journey  the  same  evening. 

Sunday-schools  Established  in  Newbury,  1786. 

In  1786,  Mrs.  Montagu,  of  Sandleford  Priory,  the  au- 
thoress, and  who  formed  the  literary  society  known  as  the 
Blue-Stocking  Club,  with  the  assistance  of  some  of  the 
principal  inhabitants  of  Newbury,  entered  into  a  sub- 
scription for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  Sunday-school,  on 
the  plan  recommended  by  Robert  Raikes  of  Gloucester, 


362  Netvbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Centwy. 

the  original  projector  of  these  valuable  institutions.  The 
Church  Sunday-school  has  been  continued  at  intervals 
from  that  period  to  the  present ;  it  is  now  united  with  the 
National  School,  and  on  Sundays  the  children  receive 
religious  instruction  and  attend  divine  service  at  the  parish 
church.  In  1801  a  Sunday-school  was  instituted  in  con- 
nection with  the  Independent  Church.  This  was  the  first 
denominational  Sunday-school,  and  has  been  followed  by 
others  in  connection  with  the  various  religious  bodies  of 
the  town. 

The  Earl  of  Craven,  1786. 

On  March  26,  1786,  the  Earl  of  Craven,  the  newly-ap- 
pointed Lord  Lieutenant  of  Berks,  rode  into  Newbury, 
where  he  was  welcomed  with  much  enthusiasm. 

Congratulatory  Address  to  King  George  III., 

1786. 

On  September  12,  1786,  a  congratulatory  address  from 
the  town  of  Newbury  was  presented  to  King  George  III.,  at 
the  levee  at  St.  James's,  on  his  escape  from  assassination. 

The  Slave  Trade,  1788. 

In  April,  1788,  the  Corporation  of  Newbury  petitioned 
Parliament  against  the  Slave  Trade. 

Recovery  of  George  III.,  from  his  Mental 
Malady,  1789. 

The  demonstrations  of  national  joy  in  March,  1789,  on 
the  occasion  of  King  George  the  Third's  recovery  from  a 
temporary  privation  of  reason  far  exceeded  any  recorded 
in  the  English  annals,  and  were  probably  more  real  and 
unfeigned  than  ever  were  offered  on  similar  occasions. 
The  town  of  Newbury  stood  very  foremost  in  tokens  of 
loyalty;  the  rejoicings  and  illuminations  were  general,  and 
almost  every  person  exhibited  proofs  of  their  attachment 
to  the  King,  and  their  joy  at  his  recovery. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  363 

George  III.  at  Newbury,  1789. 

The  following  September  the  King,  accompanied  by  the 
Queen  and  three  of  the  Princesses,  passed  through  New- 
bury, on  their  way  from  Lord  Ailesbury's,  Tottenham 
Park,  to  Windsor.  Crowds  of  persons  lined  the  roadways 
to  see  their  Majesties  pass,  and  to  personally  express  their 
congratulations  on  the  recovery  of  the  King. 

Recovery  of  George  III.,  1789. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Corporation,  March  16,  1789,  a 
humble  address  to  His  Majesty  on  his  recovery  was 
adopted : — 

"  Uniting  in  Heart  and  voice  to  testify  the  just  sense  we 
entertain  of  the  blessing  and  Goodness  of  Divine  Providence  in 
restoring  a  beloved  Sovereign  to  the  peaceful  exercise  of  his 
Royal  Authority  over  so  free  and  happy  People,  and  to  manifest 
an  unfeigned  Attachment  to  your  Majesty's  sacred  person  and 
government,  Do  most  humbly  approach  your  Majesty  with  these 
our  sentiments  of  Loyalty  and  affection,  &c. 

"  John  Webb,  Mayor." 

The  Prince  of  Wales  at  Newbury,  1790, 

On  February  9,  1790,  His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince 
of  Wales,  afterwards  George  IV.,  passed  through  New- 
bury in  a  chaise  and  four,  on  his  way  to  the  seat  of  Lord 
Craven,  at  Benham-place,  who  the  Prince  honoured  with 
a  visit.  On  the  following  Thursday  the  Prince  hunted 
with  Lord  Craven's  hounds,  the  meet  being  at  Shefford, 
and  returned  to  London  at  the  end  of  the  week. 

Kimber's  Almshouse  Charity,  1790. 

John  Kimber,  by  will  dated  March  26,  1790,  and  by 
a  codicil  thereto  dated  February  30,  1792,  founded  and 
amply  endowed  twelve  almshouses  for  six  poor  men  and 
the  like  number  of  women,  inhabitants  of  Newbury,  "  not 
being  Papists."     These  almshouses  are  near  the  Market- 


364  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

place,  and  besides  a  weekly  stipend  the  almspeople  have 
a  good  supply  of  fuel,  and  a  certain  quantity  of  clothing. 

John  Kimber  also  charged  his  trustees  to  pay  out  of  his 
personal  estate  the  sum  of  6d.  per  week  to  the  inmates  of 
the  Church  Almshouses,  and  directed  that  the  Rector  of 
Newbury,  for  the  time  being,  should  always  be  one  of  the 
trustees.  And  further  desired  that  the  officiating  minister 
of  Newbury  should  preach  a  sermon  on  the  Sunday  next 
following  his  decease,  and  on  that  day  in  every  year,  for 
which  he  should  receive  a  sum  of  ;^i  \s.  yearly,  at  which 
sermon  should  attend  every  person  receiving  the  charity, 
unless  prevented  by  illness,  and  in  default  thereof  should 
forfeit  one  week's  pay. 

The  Cart's  Tail,  1791. 

At  the  Sessions,  in  1791,  another  case  of  magisterial 
severity  is  recorded,  when  a  woman  of  the  name  of  Ar- 
nold, being  convicted  of  stealing  a  few  trifling  articles 
from  a  shop,  was  sentenced  to  be  led  round  the  town  at 
the  cart's  tail,  and  to  be  confined  three  months  in  a  soli- 
tary cell  in  the  Bridewell. 

There  is  little  material  after  this  date  in  the  "  Sessions 
Journals"  to  interest  even  the  local  reader,  although  there 
is  considerable  information  to  be  gathered  from  almost 
every  page  respecting  minor  parochial  matters  taken  cog- 
nisance of  by  the  court  in  conjunction  with  their  judicial 
duties. 

The  Wayside  Chapel  Houses  at  Speenhamland,. 

1791. 

On,  or  near,  the  site  of  the  present  obelisk  at  Speen- 
hamland there  formerly  stood  an  ancient  wayside-chapel, 
at  the  entrance  to  the  town  from  the  great  London  and 
Bath  road.  These  wayside-chapels  were,  in  pre-Reforma- 
tion  days,  frequented  sometimes  as  objects  of  pilgrimage, 
but  more  frequently  by  pilgrims  going  and  returning  from 
a  shrine,  and  by  ordinary  travellers  to  breathe  a  prayer 
for  protection,  when  the  dangers  of  the  highway  and  by- 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  365 

paths  were  considerable.  In  France,  Switzerland,  and 
Italy  they  are  still  common.  In  the  year  1791  the  dwell- 
ing-houses called  "  The  Chapel "  at  Speenhamland  were 
taken  down  and  removed,  the  Corporation,  as  trustees  of 
the  municipal  charities,  contributing  ten  guineas  towards 
the  expense,  considering  it  would  be  an  improvement  to 
the  estate  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital.  The  amount 
was  ordered  to  be  paid  by  the  Proctor  into  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Edward  Shepperd  of  Speenhamland. 

The  Proclamation  and  Address  to  the  King,  1792. 

On  June  28,  1792,  the  Corporation  joined  in  the  expres- 
sion of  confidence  in  the  "  Crown  and  Constitution,"  in 
answer  to  his  Majesty's  Proclamation,  assuring  him  of 
their 

"  unfeigned  attachment  to  the  Form  of  Government  Civil  and 
Religious  happily  established  within  these  realms,  and  that  by 
a  strict  obedience  to  the  duties  you  enjoined  will  endeavour  to 
discourage  and  discountenance  any  attempt  against  public  order 
and  tranquillity." 

Installation  of  Lord  Craven  as  High 
Steward,  1792. 

On  Sept.  24,  1792,  being  the  first  Monday  after  St. 
Matthew's  Day,  Lord  Craven  was  installed  High  Steward 
of  the  borough,  the  procedure  being  as  follows  : — 

"  The  Corporation  received  Lord  Craven  from  his  carriage  in 
their  Formahties  at  the  entrance  to  the  Mansion  House.  The 
Mayor  then  placed  him  on  his  left  hand  and  proceeded  to  the 
Breakfast-room.  After  Breakfast  the  Corporation  went  in  Form 
to  the  new  Mayor,  and  returned  with  him  to  the  Mansion  House  ; 
then  received  Lord  Craven,  and  placed  him  at  the  right  hand  of 
the  Justice,  the  Recorder  followed  them  alone,  the  Rest  of  the 
Corporation  in  order.  At  Church  Lord  Craven  sat  on  the  right, 
and  the  Mayor  elect  on  the  left  of  the  Mayor ;  the  Justice  next 
to  Lord  Craven,  the  Recorder  next  to  the  Mayor  elect.  The 
procession  returned  from  the  Church  to  the  Guildhall  in  the 
order  they  went  from  the  Mansion  House.  In  the  Hall  they  sat 
in  the  same  order  as  at  Church ;  and  after  taking  the  usual  oath 


366  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

as  entered  proceeded  to  the  Mansion  House,  the  new  Mayor 
walking  on  the  right,  the  High  Steward  with  him  on  his  left,  the 
new  Justice  on  the  right,  the  old  Mayor  with  him  on  his  left,  the 
Recorder  alone,  the  Rest  of  the  Corporation  according  to 
seniority,  and  were  then  entertained  by  the  Mayor  with  an  ele- 
gant Dinner  at  the  Mansion  House,  and  a  Ball  in  the  evening." 

The  King's  Birthday,  1793. 

The  anniversary  of  the  birthday  of  King  George  the 
Third,  in  1793,  was  observed  with  the  exhibition  of  con- 
siderable loyalty  and  rejoicing.  The  South  Devon  Mi- 
litia, then  quartered  in  the  town,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  RoUe,  had  a  grand  field-day,  which  was  attended 
by  a  large  number  of  the  inhabitants.  In  the  evening 
there  was  a  concert  and  ball  for  the  benefit  of  the  band 
fund,  which  was  attended  by  most  of  the  nobility  and 
principal  residents  in  the  neighbourhood. 

Internal  Defences,  1794. 

In  April,  1794,  the  Corporation  resolved  to  subscribe 
;£'iOO  to  be  included  in  the  county  subscription  for  assisting 
the  Government  in  the  internal  defence  of  the  country, 
"  to  be  raised  by  an  annuity  upon  the  life  of  some  person 
not  under  fifty  years  of  age." 

Political  Matters,  1794. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1794,  the  Corporation,  as  a 
body,  agreed  to  support  the  nomination  of  Charles  Dun- 
das,  Esq.,  to  succeed  Col.  Hartley  as  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  county  of  Berks  in  Parliament,  and  that 
"  carriages  and  horses  be  ordered  at  the  '  Pelican '  and 
'  Castle '  inns,  to  be  in  readiness  for  such  Freeholders  as 
shall  be  appointed  by  a  committee  of  this  Corporation  to 
use  the  same." 

Lord  Howe's  Victory,  1794. 

On  June  i,  1794,  the  British  fleet,  under  the  command 
of  Admiral  Lord  Howe,  obtained  a  signal  victory  over 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  -3,6^ 

that  of  the  French,  which  was  celebrated  at  Newbury  on 
the  twelfth  of  the  same  month,  with  great  enthusiasm. 


The  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal  projected,  1794. 

The  navigation  of  the  river  Kennet,  from  its  junction 
with  the  river  Thames  to  the  High  Bridge  at  Reading, 
a  distance  of  about  a  mile,  was,  by  a  clause  in  statute  24 
Geo.  II.,  cap.  8,  placed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  river  Thames  ;  but  from  the  High  Bridge 
at  Reading  to  Newbury  the  river  Kennet  was  made  nav- 
igable by  certain  projectors,  under  powers  given  them  by 
statute  I  Geo.  I.,  cap.  24  ;  7  Geo.  I.,  cap.  28  ;  and  3 
Geo.  II.,  cap.  25. 

The  original  promoters  of  this  navigation  proceeded  on 
the  same  principle  as  that  on  which  the  pond-locks  were 
erected  on  the  Thames,  namely,  of  constructing  them  near 
to  the  then  existing  mill-dams.  But  as  this  plan  would 
not  have  made  an  efficient  navigation,  and  by  following 
the  circuitous  course  of  the  river  very  much  extended  the 
distance,  a  regular  water-level  was  followed,  and  pond- 
locks  erected  on  cuts  or  canals,  which  reduced  the  dis- 
tance between  the  mill-dams  ;  and  where  the  mill-dams 
were  insufficient  to  pen  a  proper  head  of  water  for  naviga- 
tion, new  pens,  by  means  of  open  weirs,  were  substituted. 
This  plan  was  suggested  and  executed  by  Mr.  John  Hore, 
who  at  that  time  resided  near  Newbury,  and  was  de- 
scended from  a  family  of  that  name  who  for  many  genera- 
tions were  connected  with  this  town.  In  addition  to 
other  useful  works  executed  on  the  river  Kennet,  Mr. 
Hore  was  the  first  engineer  employed  on  the  river  Avon 
between  Bath  and  Bristol,  where  he  carried  out  a  system 
of  navigation,  of  which  the're  then  existed  no  model  in 
England.  In  consequence  of  this  improvement  new  cuts 
or  canals  were  made  for  the  length  of  eleven  miles  and 
a  half,  that  part  of  the  channel  of  the  old  river  which  is 
navigated  being  seven  miles.  The  whole  distance  from 
Newbury  to  Reading,  by  water,  being  eighteen  miles  and 
a  half,  or  only  a  mile  and  a  half  further  than  by  the  turn- 


368  Netvbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

pike-road  between  those  towns.  The  fall  from  Newbury 
to  Reading  is  nearly  134  feet,  averagiiag  about  8  feet  per 
mile  ;  and  the  highest  point  of  the  canal  is  264  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea  at  low  water.  The  locks  are  in  num- 
ber twenty,  the  length  of  each  lock  122  feet,  the  width 
19  feet,  capable  of  admitting  what  were  formerly  known 
as  Newbury-s\z&d  barges,  109  feet  long,  and  17  feet  wide, 
drawing  3  feet  6  inches  of  water  ;  and  at  that  depth  carry- 
ing about  1 10  tons.  The  width  of  the  canals,  or  cuts,  is  54 
feet  water  surface,  the  depth  about  4  feet  6  inches,  and  the 
mean  width  of  the  navigable  part  of  the  river  is  about  70 
feet.  The  locks  are  constructed  principally  of  timber, 
the  chambers  being  piled  about  4  feet  above  the  water 
level,  and  then  sloped  off,  at  an  angle  of  about  45  degrees, 
and  turned.  The  wharves  on  this  navigation  are  at  Al- 
dermaston,  about  ten  miles  above  Reading,  and  at  New- 
bury. The  wharf  at  Newbury  was  formerly  the  dep6t  of 
a  very  extensive  inland  carrying  trade  to  London  and 
all  parts  of  the  West  of  England  ;  and  was  provided  with 
a  bason,  or  wet  dock  (now  filled  in),  where  ten  of  the 
largest  barges  might  load  or  unload  with  the  greatest 
facility  ;  which  gave  quite  a  maritime  and  commercial 
appearance  to  the  place,  and  bespoke  the  extent  of  its 
trade.  The  sole  proprietor  of  the  navigation  of  the 
Kennet  between  Newbury  and  Reading  for  many  years 
was  Francis  Page,  Esq.,  of  Goldwell,  Speen  Hill,  who 
purchased  all  the  shares,  and  became  absolute  owner.  On 
his  death,  in  August,  1784,  his  son,  Frederick  Page,  Esq., 
better  known  as  Col.  Page,  became  proprietor  and  man- 
ager, who,  about  the  year  18 1 1,  disposed  of  his  interest  in 
the  canal  to  the  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal  Company.  The 
original  cost  of  making  the  river  Kennet  navigable  was 
£84,000. 

The  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal  commences  at  New- 
bury, forming  a  continuation  of  the  river  Kennet  naviga- 
tion, and  was  first  projected  in  the  year  1794,  when  an 
Act  was  obtained  for  its  construction,  empowering  the 
Company  to  raise  the  sum  of  .£^420,000 ;  and  also  to  in- 
crease that  amount  by  ;f  150,000  more  if  the  original  sum 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  369 

should  not  be  sufficient  to  complete  the  intended  works. 
Two  years  after  the  passing  of  this  Act  another  was  ob- 
tained ;  and  again,  in  1798,  a  third,  both  approving  of 
variations  which  it  was  deemed  desirable  to  make  in  the 
line,  or  direction,  of  the  canal.  By  these  delays,  and  the 
expenses  of  the  applications  to  Parliament,  the  Company 
were,  in  1801,  compelled  to  obtain  a  fourth  Act  in  order  to 
secure  powers  to  raise  a  further  sum  of  ^^240,000,  by  the 
creation  of  4,000  new  shares.  The  actual  expenditure  up 
to  this  time  (1801)  had  exceeded  .£'500,000,  nearly  ten 
years  after  its  commencement,  and  the  only  portion  of  the 
canal  navigable  was  from  Newbury  to  Great  Bedwyn,  an 
extent  of  fifteen  miles  only.  The  canal  was  completed 
in  1 8 10,  and  the  whole  water  communication  between 
Newbury  and  Bristol  was  opened  in  the  early  part  of  the 
year  181 1.  The  total  cost  of  this  canal  appears  to  have 
been  not  far  short  of  a  million  sterling.  It  was  the  first 
work  of  civil  engineering  in  England  carried  out  by  the 
eminent  engineer  John  Rennie,  and  on  which  he  bestowed 
great  pains,  not  only  on  the  survey,  the  designs  for  the 
viaducts  and  bridges,  but  also  on  the  execution  of  the 
works,  which  he  superintended  with  rigid  scrutiny.  The 
engineer  in  those  days  was  satisfied  with  a  comparatively 
moderate  rate  of  pay ;  and  the  sum  awarded  to  Mr. 
Rennie  by  the  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal  Company  for 
constructing  their  canal  works  was  only  ;£3So — an  amount 
of  remuneration,  however,  which  Mr.  Rennie  justly  con- 
sidered very  inadequate  to  the  services  performed. 

From  Newbury  the  canal  passes  up  the  valley  of  the 
Kennet  for  165  miles,  by  Hungerford  to  Crofton,  where 
the  summit  level  begins,  which  is  reached  by  thirty-one 
locks,  rising  in  all  210  feet.  It  then  proceeds  by  Burn- 
slade,  Wootton-Rivers,  and  the  Pewsey  Vale  to  Devizes ; 
and  from  Devizes  by  Foxhanger,  Semington,  Bradford, 
and  the  Vale  of  the  Avon  to  Bath,  joining  that  river  just 
above  the  Old  Bath  Bridge,  where  the  navigation  from 
Bristol  terminates.  About  eight  miles  on  the  eastern 
side  of  Bath  it  communicates  with  the  canal  from  the 
Somerset  collieries  ;  at  about  twelve  miles  the  Dorset  and 

B  b  I 


370  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

Somerset  canal  unites  with  it ;  and  at  about  fifteen  miles 
in  the  same  direction  the  Wilts  and  Berks  canal  branches 
off,  taking  a  north-easterly  course.  The  total  length  of  the 
canal,  between  Newbury  and  Bath,  is  fifty-seven  miles, 
the  total  descent  on  the  west  side  of  the  summit  being 
404  feet  6  inches,  divided  into  forty-eight  locks.  The 
Kennet  is  crossed  several  times.  A  little  way  above 
Hungerford  the  canal  is  carried  over  the  Kennet  by  an 
aqueduct  of  three  arches.  At  Crofton,  near  which  the 
summit  level  of  the  canal  commences,  a  tunnel  500  yards 
in  length  was  necessary,  approached  by  deep  cuttings. 
Among  the  finest  architectural  structures  forming  part 
of  the  canal  is  the  aqueduct  over  the  river  Avon,  about 
a  mile  from  Limpley  Stoke,  and  six  miles  from  Bath, 
which  is  greatly  admired  for  the  beauty  of  its  elevation. 

The  width  of  the  canal  is  40  feet,  water  surface  24  feet  at 
bottom,  and  5  feet  deep,  but  on  the  summit  level  it  is  44 
feet  wide  and  6  feet  deep.  The  locks  are  80  feet  in 
length,  capable  of  admitting  barges  70  feet  long,  13  feet 
6  inches  wide,  and  carrying  60  tons. 

As  a  whole,  the  navigation  was  pronounced  to  be  one  of 
the  best  executed  in  the  kingdom  ;  and  the  works  have 
stood  admirably  down  to  the  present  time. 

In  a  commercial  and  also  national  point  of  view  the 
undertaking  was  considered  to  be  of  great  importance, 
connecting  as  it  does  the  navigation  of  the  metropolis  with 
that  of  Bristol  and  St.  George's  Channel,  as  well  as  open- 
ing up  an  extensive  intermediate  district.  But  railways 
have  now  superseded  the  canals,  and  it  is  rarely  that  a 
barge  is  seen  on  the  placid  waters  of  the  Kennet  and 
Avon  Navigation. 

The  whole  length  of  the  canal,  between  Reading  and 
Bath,  is  now  the  property  of  the  Great  Western  Railway 
Company,  whose  interest  it  is  to  diminish  as  much  as  pos- 
sible the  use  of  the  canal  for  the  purposes  it  was  originally 
constructed  to  serve. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  371 

Volunteer  Association,  1794 — 1799. 

In  consequence  of  the  national  alarm  occasioned  by  the 
war  with  revolutionary  France  an  enthusiastic  meeting  was 
held  at  Newbury  in  i794,for  increasingthe  national  defences 
of  the  country,  and  the  most  loyal  and  patriotic  spirit  was 
evinced  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood.  A  Provisional 
Force  of  Cavalry  was  raised  in  Newbury,  and  their  first 
muster  took  place  at  the  "  Hare  and  Hounds,"  Speen  Hill, 
February  loth,  1797. 

Towards  the  end  of  the  year  1797  the  definitive  treaty 
between  the  French  Republic  and  the  Emperor  of  Germany 
was  concluded  and  ratified  ;  and  the  French  having  little 
other  employment  for  their  armies  began  to  talk  loudly 
of  an  immediate  invasion  of  England.  The  Directory 
assembled  a  large  army  along  the  coasts  opposite  to  Great 
Britain,  which  they  called  the  army  of  England ;  and  a 
variety  of  reports  were  propagated  relative  to  preparations 
said  to  be  making  in  the  ports  of  France  ;  among  others, 
that  rafts  of  an  enormous  size  and  peculiar  'construction 
were  building  for  the  conveyance  of  troops.  The  British 
government  did  not  suffer  these  possible  exaggerations,  nor 
even  the  evident  rashness  of  any  attempt  at  an  invasion 
of  England  in  the  face  of  a  fleet  so  decidedly  superior  to 
that  of  every  enemy  united,  to  produce  an  improper  secu- 
rity, but  took  such  measures  of  precaution  as  were  most 
proper  for  the  general  defence  of  the  kingdom,  and  to 
guard  the  different  parts  of  the  country  from  the  conse- 
quences of  a  sudden  attack.  A  Bill  was  therefore  intro- 
duced for  the  purpose  of  allowing  regiments  of  volunteers 
to  be  raised  in  every  part  of  the  country  ;  and  in  a  few 
weeks  a  hundred  thousand  additional  men  were  in  arms  in 
Great  Britain.  Another  Bill  at  the  same  time  received  the 
sanction  of  Parliament,  which  authorised  the  King,  in  the 
event  of  an  actual  invasion,  to  call  out  a  levy  of  the  popula- 
tion en  masse,  conferring  extraordinary  powers  upon  Lords- 
Lieutenants  and  Generals  in  command  for  the  seizure,  "  at 
this  perilous  crisis,"  of  horses  and  carriages,  and  provid- 
ing at  the  public  expense  for  the  indemnification  of  such 

B  b  2 


372  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

persons  as  might  suffer  by  the  enforcement  of  these  neces- 
sary measures.  Notwithstanding  the  depressed  state  of  the 
nation  at  this  gloomy  period,  and  the  increasing  burden  of 
an  additional  taxation,  the  spirit  of  patriotism  and  loyalty 
was  never  more  conspicuous,  energetic,  and  general. 

On  February  9,  1798,  a  subscription  had  been  raised 
at  the  Royal  Exchange,  for  the  service  and  defence  of 
the  country,  and  by  September  28  the  voluntary  contri- 
butions amounted  to  over  ^1,500,000.  The  Corporation 
of  Newbury  subscribed  ;^200,  the  Mayor,  Mr.  Davis,  £\o. 
Dr.  Winterbottom;^2o,  and  most  of  the  principal  inhabi- 
tants followed  this  example  so  far  as  their  means  permitted. 

At  the  request  of  the  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Berks,  the  Earl 
of  Radnor,  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Borough 
of  Newbury  was  convened  by  the  Mayor,  Mr.  William 
Davis,  at  the  Town  Hall,  on  April  23,  1798,  when,  with 
other  resolutions,  it  was  resolved  : — 

"  That  an  Armed  Association  for  the  immediate  safety  and  pro- 
tection of  this  Town  and  neighbourhood,  to  the  extent  of  ten 
miles  around  the  Town,  is  the  most  effectual  service  which,  at 
the  present  moment,  can  be  rendered  by  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
Borough,  consisting  chiefly  of  tradesmen,  who  must  necessarily 
attend  to  their  respective  callings  at  all  times,  when  the  service 
they  are  now  about  to  engage  in  will  admit  of  it. 

"  That  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Parishes  adjoining  to  Newbury, 
and  the  Inhabitants  of  Shaw,  be  invited  to  join  in  this  Associa- 
tion. 

"  That  the  Magistrates  of  Newbury  for  the  time  being,  the 
Town  Clerk,  Mr.  Vincent,  Mr.  Baily,  Mr.  Slocock,  Mr.  Bodman, 
Mr.  Grove,  and  other  members  of  the  Corporation ;  Mr.  Page,  Dr. 
Winterbottom,  Rev.  Mr.  Best,  Rev.  Mr.  Sainsbury,  and  the  resi- 
dent Clergy  of  all  descriptions ;  Sir  Joseph  Andrews,  Bart.,  Francis 
Stead,  Anthony  Bacon,  and  Frederick  Cowslade,  Esqs. ;  Captain 
Sheppard,  Mr.  White,  Mr.  Hancock,  Mr.  C.  Baily,  Mr.  Edkins, 
Mr.  Padbury,  Mr.  W.  Clark,  of  Speenhamland,  and  Mr.  T.  Clark, 
of  Greenham,  be  a  Committee  with  power  to  add  ;  to  draw  up 
and  prepare  (under  military  advice)  the  rules,  orders,  and  state  of 
discipline  that  shall  be  deemed  requisite  for  the  regulation  and 
government  of  the  said  Association." 

In  compliance  with   the  above  resolutions  an  Armed 


Nezubury  in  the  'Eighteenth  Century.  373 

Association  both  of  Cavalry  and  Infantry  was  raised  in  the 
town  and  neighbourhood,  and  the  following  officers  were 
approved  of  by  the  King  : — 

"  Cavalry : — Richard  Townsend,  Esq.,  Captain,  Samuel  Slocock, 
Esq.,  Lieutenant.  Of  the  Infantry  : — Edward  Sheppard,  Esq., 
and  John  Winterbottom,  M.D.,  Captains  ;  Mr.  Bodman  and  Mr. 
White,  Lieutenants  ;  Mr.  Toomer  and  Mr.  Page,  Ensigns." 

Major  Lyon  and  the  officers  of  the  nth  Light  Dragoons, 
then  quartered  in  Newbury,  were  particularly  serviceable  to 
the  troop  of  volunteer  cavalry  which  was  well  maintained 
in  numbers  and  discipline.  The  local  infantry  force  was 
also  a  strong  organization,  and  was  termed  "  The  Newbury, 
Shaw,  and  Speen  Volunteer  Infantry."  There  was  also 
"  The  Kintbury  Rifle  Corps,"  and  a  troop  of  volunteer 
cavalry  at  Thatcham,  commanded  by  W.  Mount,  Esq.,  of 
Wasing,  Peter  Green  being  Lieutenant,  and  Thomas  Baily 
Cornet ;  also  a  troop  at  Aldermaston,  commanded  by  W. 
Congreve,  Esq.,  of  Aldermaston  House. 

In  February,  1799,  the  Margravine  of  Anspach  presented 
a  handsome  silk  standard  to  the  Newbury  cavalry,  and 
colours  to  the  infantry,  accompanying  the  gift  with  a 
spirited  address,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse  of 
spectators.  Both  the  standard  and  the  colours  were  inscribed 
with  the  patriotic  motto,  "  Salus  Publica  Salus  Mea,"  com- 
bined with  the  arms  of  the  borough,  and  were  received, 
kneeling,  by  Captain  Townsend  of  the  cavalry,  and  Cap- 
tain Sheppard  of  the  Infantry,  after  the  prayer  of  conse- 
cration had  been  impressively  read  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cotton , 
Curate  of  Newbury.  A  dinner  at  the  Town  Hall,  graced 
by  the  presence  of  the  Margravine,  concluded  the  day's 
proceedings. 

On  July  26,  1799,  the  whole  of  the  volunteer  force  of 
Berkshire,  both  cavalry  and  infahtry,  was  reviewed  by 
King  George  III.,  on  Bulmarsh  Heath,  at  which  the  Queen, 
the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  the  Prime 
Minister,  Pitt,  were  present.  The  Kintbury  Rifle  Corps 
was  commanded  by  the  Vicar  of  the  Parish,  the  Rev. 
Fulwar  Craven  Fowle,  who  personally  received  the  compli- 
ments of  the  King  for  his  patriotic  example. 


374  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

Non-Resident  Rectors,  1796. 

On  October  11,  1796,  the  Corporation  forwarded  a  peti- 
tion to  the  Rt.  Hon.  Wm.  Pitt,  Chancellor  of  the  Ex- 
chequer, stating  that  as  the  Rectory  of  Newbury,  in  the 
gift  of  the  Crown,  had  become  vacant  by  the  death  of  the 
Rev.  Richard  Davies,  appointed  Rector  in  1769,  who  was 
non-resident,  and  very  seldom  performed  the  service  of  the 
Church  in  person,  they  pray  that  a  future  Rector  may  re- 
side in  his  own  parish,  and  enforce  his  doctrine  by  precept 
and  example. 

Address  to  the  King,  1796. 

The  Corporation,  in  1796,  adopted  a  loyal  address  to 
the  King  on  his  escape  from  the  attempt  on  his  life  in 
going  to,  and  returning  from,  the  House  of  Lords. 

The  Prince  of  Wales  at  Newbury,  1797. 

The  Prince  of  Wales  passed  through  Newbury  en  route 
to  Bath  in  January,  1797,  and  again  in  February,  1798. 

Kennet  and  Avon  Canal,  1797. 

The  first  section  of  the  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal,  be- 
tween Newbury  and  Kintbury,  a  distance  of  six  miles, 
was  opened  June  12th,  1797.  A  barge  of  nearly  60  tonsi 
having  on  board  the  band  of  the  isth  Regiment  of  Dra- 
goons, then  stationed  in  Newbury,  left  that  place  at  twelve 
o'clock,  and  arrived  at  Kintbury  at  half-past  two,  where 
the  Committee  of  the  Canal,  having  dined  with  their  Chair- 
man, Mr.  Charles  Dundas,  embarked  at  six  o'clock  and  ar- 
rived at  Newbury  about  half-past  nine,  the  passage  of  the 
party  affording  great  interest  to  a  large  number  of  persons 
assembled  at  different  points  on  the  route. 

Death  of  the  Rev.  J.  Laugharne,  1797. 

The  Rev.  J.  Laugharne,  many  years  curate-in-charge  of 
Newbury,  died  at  Bed  minster,  Somerset,  where  he  was 
curate,  August  5,  1797. 


Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century.  375 

National  Defence,  1798. 

The  Corporation  voted  ;^2oo  to  the  defence  of  the 
country  "  at  this  important  crisis." 

The  Battle  of  the  Nile  and  Admiral  Warren's 
Victory,  1798. 

When  the  glad  tidings  of  Nelson's  victory  at  the  Battle 
of  the  Nile,  fought  August  i,  1798,  was  received  in  New- 
bury the  inhabitants  were  again  very  enthusiastic  in  the 
expression  of  their  joy  at  the  defeat  of  the  French  fleet. 
The  Armed  Association  fired  several  volleys  in  the  Market- 
place, the  Corporation  and  many  of  the  chief  inhabitants 
dined  together  at  the  Mansion  House,  and  there  was  a 
general  illumination  in  the  evening,  with  other  manifesta- 
tions of  rejoicing. 

About  the  same  time  that  intelligence  of  this  glorious 
victory  was  received,  Admiral  Sir  John  Borlase  Warren 
defeated,  off  the  coast  of  Ireland,  a  French  fleet  of  nine 
sail,  full  of,  troops,  as  succours  to  the  Irish,  which  called 
forth  another  popular  manifestation  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Newbury,  as  well  in  gratitude  to  the  brave  Warren,  as  in 
compliment  to  their  neighbour,  Vice-Admiral  Kingsmill, 
of  Sydmonton  Court,  who  so  long  and  honourably  com- 
manded on  the  Irish  station.  The  occasion  presented  an 
opportunity  for  the  display  of  a  great  number  of  appro- 
priate inscriptions  and  transparencies,  the  most  elaborate 
of  which  were  exhibited  by  Messrs.  Sainsbury,  Bodman, 
Toomer,  and  Davis. 

Kennet  and  Avon  Canal,  1799. 

The  navigation  of  the  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal  was 
opened  from  Hungerford  to  Great  Bedwyn,  July  2,  1799, 
when  a  barge  of  50  tons,  laden  with  coals  and  deals,  ar- 
rived at  the  latter  place.  The  barge,  having  on  board  a 
large  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Hungerford,  was  accom- 
panied on  its  passage  by  a  vast  concourse  of  people,  and 


376  Newbury  in  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

received  at  Bedwyn  with  great  demonstrations  of  joy.  An 
entertainment  was  provided  at  the  Town  Hall,  and  a  quan- 
tity of  beer  distributed  to  the  populace  and  the  labourers 
employed  on  the  canal.  The  evening  concluded  with 
great  festivity. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 


mewbur^  in  tbe  IRineteentb  Century. 

Incidents  connected  with  Newbury. — The  Local  Volunteer  Cavalry 
and  Infantry  Corps,  1800. — Allowance  to  the  Mayor,  1800. — Peace  re- 
joicings, 180T. — The  Theatre  built,  1802. — Yeomanry  and  Volunteers, 
1804-5. — Funeral  of  the  Margrave  of  Anspach,  1806. — Volunteers  and 
Local  Militia,  1808. — The  National  Jubilee,  1809. — The  Newbury  Coat, 
181 1. — Minor  events,  1812-14. — Celebration  of  Peace,  1814. — Minor 
events,  1815-16. — Education  of  the  poor,  1818. — Minor  events,  1820-30. 
— The  Machine  Riots,  1830. — Minor  events,  1832-47. — The  New  Gram- 
mar School,  1848. — Minor  events,  1850-3. — Celebration  of  Peace,  1856. 
—  Minor  events,  1857-67. — The  Autumn  Manoeuvres,  1872. —  Minor 
events,  1873-77. — Extension  of  the  Borough  Boundaries,  1878. — The 
new  Municipal  Buildings,  1878. — The  Falkland  Memorial,  1878. — New- 
bury and  Didcot  Railway,  first  sod  turned,  1879. — St.  Bartholomew's 
Hospital  and  Grammar  School  Foundation,  1880. — Clock  Tower  of  the 
new  Municipal  Buildings,  1 881. — Opening  of  the  Didcot  and  Newbury 
Railway,  1882. — Recovery  of  the  Borough  Charters,  1883. — The  Parish 
Room  erected,  1884. — Opening  of  the  Didcot,  Newbury,  and  Southamp- 
ton Railway  to  Winchester,  1885. — Opening  of  the  new  Grammar  School 
buildings,  1885. — Opening  of  the  Newbury  District  Hospital,  1885. — 
The  National  Jubilee,  1887. 

The  Local  Volunteer  Cavalry  and  Infantry 
Corps,  1800. 

THE  following  commissions  in  the  Newbury  Volunteer 
Association  were  signed  by  King  George  the  Third, 
June  2,  1800: — 

Infantry. 

Capt.  John  Winterbottom,  M.D.,  to  be  Major  Commandant. 
Lieut.  James  Bodman  to  be  Captain  vice  Sheppard  resigned. 
Lieut.  George  White  to  be  Lieutenant  of  the  First  Company  vice 

Bodman. 
Ensign  Joseph  Toomer  to  be  Lieutenant  of  the  Second  Company 

vice  White. 


378  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

William  Vincent,  Gent.,  to  be  Ensign  vice  Toomer. 
John  King,  Gent.,  to  be  Ensign  vice  Page,  resigned. 

Cavalry. 

John  Galley,  Gent.,  to  be  Cornet  vice  Baily,  resigned. 

The  Newbury  troop  of  Provisional  Cavalry,  of  w^hich 
Mr.  S.  A.  Lloyd  was  secretary,  and  the  Infantry  Volun- 
teers had  a  grand  field-day  in  Benham  Park  this  year 
(1800),  and  at  the  close  of  their  manoeuvres  were  enter- 
tained by  the  Margrave  and  Margravine  of  Anspach. 

On  January  i,  1801,  they  assembled  in  the  Market- 
place, Newbury,  to  commemorate  the  Union  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland. 

Allowance  to  the  Mayor,  1800. 

A  motion  was  carried  at  a  meeting  of  the  Corporation 
in  August  to  grant  an  additional  allowance  to  the  Mayor 
of  £10,  but  it  was  afterwards  resolved  to  confine  the 
amount  to  ;^20. 

Peace  Rejoicings,  1801. 

In  October,  1801,  on  the  news  arriving  of  the  Pre- 
liminaries of  Peace  being  signed  between  England  and 
the  French  Republic,  there  was  great  joy  manifested  in 
Newbury.  The  Margravine  of  Anspach  and  her  suite 
rode  through  the  town  to  view  the  illuminations,  and  or- 
dered that  twenty  guineas  should  be  given  to  the  poor. 

The  Theatre  built  at  Speenhamland,  1802. 

The  old  theatre  at  Speenhamland,  built  in  1802,  is  still 
standing,  but  it  is  many  years  since  it  was  used  for  its 
original  purpose.  It  was  for  a  considerable  period  under 
an  enterprising  manager,  a  Mr.  Barnett,  who  succeeded  in 
introducing  no  small  share  of  talent  on  the  Newbury 
boards.  Of  the  theatrical  celebrities  who  have  performed 
here  may  be  mentioned  John  Philip  Kemble  and  Edmund 
Kean,  two  of  the  great  tragic  actors,  Mrs.  Kemble,  widow 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  379 

of  the  actor  Brereton,  Mrs.  Jordan,  whose  celebrity  be- 
trayed her  into  an  alliance  with  a  royal  duke,  Incledon, 
the  famous  vocalist,  William  Henry  West  Betty,  the  young 
Roscius,  John  Banister,  of  Drury-lane  fame,  Mrs.  Powell, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Middleton,  Miss  Foote,  and  many  more 
distinguished  comedians  of  the  Georgian  era.  It  appears 
from  the  Corporation  records  that  previous  to  the  erection 
of  the  Speenhamland  theatre  an  old  building  in  North- 
croft-lane  was  used  as  a  playhouse.  Its  site  is  now  occu- 
pied by  the  Temperance  Hall. 

The  Assemblies. 

In  addition  to  the  theatre  weekly  assemblies  were  held, 
during  the  season,  in  the  Town  Hall  in  former  days, 
which  were  attended  by  the  principal  families  in  the  town 
and  neighbourhood.  When  Mr.  Poyntz  resided  at  Midg- 
ham  the  famous  Duchess  of  Devonshire,  the  Countess  of 
Bessborough,  the  Margravine  of  Anspach,  and  other  ladies 
of  distinction,  made  it  a  point  of  attending  the  Newbury 
balls,  and  of  mixing  with  those  of  humbler  birth,  in  order 
to  give  eclat  to  these  assemblages,  and  to  promote  a  good 
feeling  between  all  classes.  The  subscription  for  the 
season  was  ten  shillings ;  and  the  balls  began  at  seven 
and  ended  at  twelve  o'clock  precisely — a  regulation  which 
was  rigorously  enforced. 

The  Yeomanry  and  Volunteers,  1804-5. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1804,  the  Newbury  Volun- 
teer Cavalry  was  formed  into  the  "  Donnington  Castle 
and  Newbury  Troop  of  the  First  Berks  Regiment  of  Yeo- 
manry." The  names  of  the  first  officers  appointed  to  the 
regiment  were  as  follows  : — 

First  Berks  Cavalry. 
Lieut. -Col.  Commanding — Charles  Dundas  ». 

»  M.P.  for  the  county  of  Berks,  1790 — 1831.  Through  his  marriage 
■with  Miss  Whitley,  in  1782,  Mr.  Dundas  obtained  the  manor  of  Kintbury- 
Amesbury,  with  the  seat  of  Barton  Court  in  this  county.  He  was  proposed 
by  Mr.  Sheridan  to  fill  the  chair  of  the  House  of  Commons  on  the  resignation 


380  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

^^^""^  I  Francis  Sacheverell  Stead  ^ 

Lt.-Col.  by  Brevet  J 

Captain  Edward  Child. 

„       John  Pearse "- 

„       Adam  Blandy. 

„        Anthony  Bacon  ■*. 

Lieutenant  Benjamin  Morland. 

„  William  Shipperly. 

„  John  Calley. 

„  Thomas  Mitchell. 

Cornet  Ferdinando  Bullock. 

„       John  Williams. 

„       Richard  Selwood. 

„       John  Willes. 

,     „  i  John  Lidderdale. 

Capt.  by  Brevet  j  -^ 

Surgeon  Stephen  Hemsted '. 

The  officers  of  the  Volunteer   Infantry  Corps  at  the 
same  time  were  as  follows  : — 

Newbury,  Shaw,  and  Speen  Volunteer  Infantry. 
Lieut. -Col.  Commanding — Sir  Joseph  Andrews,  Bart.^ 
Major  Wilham  Vincent. 
Captain  Edward  Withers. 

„       Frederick  Page. 

„       John  Haskins. 

„       George  Blackshaw. 

„        Thomas  Canning. 

,,       WilHam  Rowles. 

„        Edward  Montagu. 

„        Benjamin  Friend. 

„       Joseph  Gray. 
Lieutenant  Francis  Charles  Parry. 
„  Samuel  Hancock. 

of  Mr.  Addington,  but  declined  the  honour.  Mr.  Dundas  was  elevated  to  the 
Peerage  by  patent,  dated  May  11,  1832,  but  enjoyed  his  honours  scarcely  two 
months,  dying  June  30,  1832,  when  the  barony  of  Amesbury,  in  default  of 
issue  male,  became  extinct. 

''  Of  Donnington  Castle  House.  He  died  July  2,  1826,  in  his  67th  year, 
and  was  buried  at  Shaw. 

"  Of  Chilton  House. 

■'  Of  Elcot  and  Benham. 

"  Grandfather  of  the  late  Stephen  Hemsted,  Esq.,  of  Newbury. 

'  Of  Shaw  House.  He  succeeded  Matthew  Montagu,  Esq.,  of  Sandleford, 
as  Lieut. -Col.  of  the  Newbury  corps. 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  381 

Lieutenant  Edward  Brice  Bunny. 

„  John  Hall  8. 

„  Thomas  Bance. 

Ensign  George  Goddard. 

„       Benjamin  Andrews. 

„       Edward  Woodcock. 

„       Francis  William  Montagu ''. 

Adjutant        1  „.  ,      ,  ^^ 
/-.     ^   I     r.       A  Richard  Horner '. 
Capt.  by  Brevet  j 

Quartermaster  Edward  Woodcock. 

Surgeon  Richard  Scott. 

The  Newbury  troop  of  cavalry  drilled  principally  at 
North  Heath,  a  convenient  meeting-place  on  the  way  to 
the  "Red  House/'  on  Wantage  Downs,  which  was  the 
usual  rendesvouz  of  the  different  troops  of  the  Berkshire 
cavalry  for  regimental  drill.  The  local  troopers  were 
also  frequently  exercised  on  Snelsmore  Common  and 
Northcroft.  The  uniform  of  the  Berkshire  Yeomanry 
consisted  of  a  blue  tunic  with  red  facings,  white  leather 
breeches,  bearskin  helmet  with  red  tuft,  very  similar  to 
the  uniform  of  the  Royal  Horse  Guards  Blue  at  that 
time. 

On  the  anniversary  of  the  birthday  of  George  HI.,  in 
1804,  the  united  infantry  corps  of  Newbury,  Speen,  and 
Shaw  were  invited  by  their  Colonel,  Sir  Joseph  Andrews, 
to  Shaw  House.  After  firing  three  volleys  in  the  Market- 
place, Newbury,  headed  by  their  band,  they  marched  to 
Shaw,  where  they  were  regaled  in  the  most  bountiful 
manner  on  the  lawn  before  the  house,  the  remainder  of 
the  day  being  spent  "  in  mirth  and  glee."  As  was  then 
usual  on  the  King's  birthday,  the  volunteers  throughout 
the  country  had  a  "field-day;"  and  it  is  mentioned  in 
a  local  journal  that  the  Ramsbury  Volunteers  practised 
rifle-shooting  on  the  occasion,  and  "exhibited  extraordi- 
nary skill  at  the  target ;  out  of  6^  balls  fired  34  struck  the 
target  at  a  distance  of  100  yards — a  circumstance  rarely 

t  Attorney  at  Newbury. 

^  Died  Jan.,  1807,  aged  19,  son  of  Matthew  Montagu,  Esq.,  of  Sandleford 
Priory. 
'  The  well-known  Newbury  wagon-master  and  canal  carrier. 


382  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

remembered."  In  the  autumn  of  1804  the  Thatcham 
and  Aldermaston  cavalry,  the  Newbury  and  Hungerford 
infantry,  and  the  Kintbury  Rifle  Corps  were  inspected 
on  Wickham  Heath  by  Lieut.-Col.  Sir  N.  Dukinfield, 
Bart.,  the  inspecting  officer  of  the  Berkshire  Infantry 
Volunteers ;  and  afterwards  reviewed  by  the  Hon.  Major 
Ludlow,  Brigadier-General  Gledstanes  attending,  and  were 
complimented  on  their  efficiency  and  appearance. 

In  1805,  on  June  8,  the  First  Berks  cavalry,  the  Thatch- 
am and  Aldermaston  cavalry,  the  Newbury,  Shaw,  and 
Speen  infantry,  took  part  in  a  grand  review  of  all  the 
Berkshire  cavalry  and  infantry  volunteers,  by  King  George 
III.,  at  Bulmarsh  Heath.  The  review  is  described  as 
being  highly  satisfactory,  and  the  King  before  leaving 
the  Heath  "  expressly  desired  the  Duke  of  Cambridge 
would  communicate  to  the  Commanders  of  the  Cavalry 
and  Infantry  Brigades  the  particular  gratification  he  felt 
in  having  thus  witnessed  the  military  perfection  of  his 
Berkshire  Volunteers." 

The  Donnington  Castle  and  Newbury  troop  of  cavalry 
attended  service  at  Newbury  Church,  December  5,  1805, 
being  the  occasion  of  the  Thanksgiving  for  Nelson's  vic- 
tory off  Trafalgar,  and  subscribed  to  the  Patriotic  Fund 
established  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded  soldiers  and 
sailors,  and  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of  the  slain. 

Subscription  to  Volunteer  Association,  1805. 

The  Corporation  voted  .£'100  towards  the  general  pur- 
poses of  the  Volunteer  Association. 

The  Funeral  of  the  Margrave  of  Anspach,  1806. 

Benham  Place,  a  mansion  near  Newbury,  was  built  in 
177S)  by  William,  sixth  Lord  Craven,  who,  in  1767,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Augustus,  fourth  Earl  of 
Berkeley,  who  married,  after  his  decease,  Christian  Fred- 
erick, Margrave  of  Brandenburgh-Anspach,  and  Bayreuth, 
nephew  to  Frederick  II.,  King  of  Prussia,  commonly  called 
"  The  Great,"  and  to  Queen  Caroline,  wife  of  George  II., 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  383 

King  of  England.  Upon  his  surrendering  his  German 
dominions  to  the  King  of  Prussia,  the  Margrave  came  to 
England,  and  purchased  Benham  Place,  which  he  continued 
to  occupy  as  a  country  residence  until  his  death  in  1806. 
The  Margrave  was  buried  in  Speen  Church,  on  Wednes- 
day, January  15,  1806,  when  the  funeral  procession  was  as 
follows  : — 

Two  mutes. 

Board  of  feathers,  dressed  with  pendants. 

Twenty-five  gentlemen,  two  and  two,  with  silk  scarfs 

and  hatbands. 

Groom  of  the  Chamber,  mounted  on  a  horse  dressed  with  black 

velvet  and  escutcheons,  carrying  the  Crown  and  Cushion.     The 

horse  led  by  the  late  Margrave's  groom. 

Six  men 


_.  /Hearse   and   six   contammg   the   Body  : 

Six  men        ^  _  ,      .  ,        ."  , 

Coffin   covered   with    crimson   velvet, 


in 


mourning 
cloaks. 


mourning 
cloaks. 


ornamented  with  gilt  nails,  crowns,  &c., 
and   lined  with  white  satin,  and   the 
Hearse  dressed  with  Escutcheons. 
The  late  Margrave's  private  Horse,  put  in  mourning  and  led 
by  two  grooms  behind  the  Hearse. 
First  mourning  coach  and  six,  with  the  Hon.  Keppel  Craven, 
and  the  Margrave's  two  Chamberlains,  with  the  keys  in  crape, 
scarfs,  &c. 
Second  coach  and  six,  with  Lord  Craven,  Hon.  Berkeley  Craven, 

and  Baron  Jacobi. 
Third  coach  and  six,  six  gentlemen  as  pall-bearers,  with  satin  hat- 
bands and  scarfs. 
Fourth  coach  and  six,  two  clergymen  and  two  medical  men. 
Fifth  and  sixth  coaches,  seven  upper  servants  of  the  deceased. 
Margravine's  coach  and  six,  with  four  footmen  behind  in  state 
liveries,  closed  the  procession. 

The  concourse  of  spectators  was  very  great,  and  the 
Newbury,  Shaw,  and  Speen  Volunteers  attended  to  keep 
order,  and  also  to  pay  respect  to  the  late  Margrave,  who 
was  a  liberal  patron  of  the  corps. 

The  Volunteers  and  Local  Militia,  1808. 

In  1808,  the  Newbury  Volunteers,  then  commanded  by 
Lieut.-Col.  Page,  were  the  first  corps  in  the  county  to  offer 


384  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

to  become  a  regiment  of  Local  Militia,  "  being  desirous  of 
placing  themselves  in  a  position  where  they  might  be  of 
service  to  their  country."  The  transfer  of  their  services 
was  accepted,  and  they  were  enrolled  into  the  ist  Berks 
Regiment  of  Local  Militia,  under  the  command  of  Lieut.- 
Col.  Page.  The  establishment  of  the  regiment  was  fixed 
as  follows : — 

I  Colonel,  I  Adjutant, 

1  Lieut. -Colonel,  1  Quarter-Master, 

2  Majors,  i  Surgeon, 

12  Captains,  i  Sergeant-Major, 

14  Lieutenants,  26  Drummers,  and 

10  Ensigns,  1050  privates. 

The  newly-enrolled  men  were  called  out  for  one  month's 
permanent  duty  at  Newbury  the  following  May,  and  were 
highly  complimented  for  the  efficiency  and  zeal  they  ex- 
hibited for  the  interests  of  their  country. 

The  National  Jubilee,  1809. 

On  October  25,  1809,  a  national  jubilee  was  celebrated 
throughout  England  on  account  of  King  George  the  Third 
entering  into  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  reign.  The  occasion 
was  one  of  great  rejoicing  in  Newbury,  and  the  following 
is  an  account  of  the  proceedings  : — 

"  The  delights  of  the  day  were  announced  to  the  loyal  inhab- 
itants of  Newbury  by  the  discharge  of  cannon,  and  ringing  of 
bells,  repeated  at  intervals  till  10  o'clock,  at  which  time  the 
Mayor  and  Corporation,  with  a  large  number  of  neighbouring 
gentlemen,  inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  other  friends,  repaired 
to  the  Mansion  House,  and  partook  of  an  elegant  breakfast, 
given  by  the  Corporation,  during  which  the  band  of  the  Local 
Militia  enlivened  the  scene  with  a  well-judged  selection  of  loyal 
and  constitutional  airs,  interspersed  with  martial  music  ;  the  break- 
fast being  concluded,  a  procession  was  formed  from  the  Mansion 
House  to  the  Church,  consisting  of  the  various  Friendly  Societies, 
with  their  emblematical  ensigns,  the  several  Charity  Children  of 
the  parish,  the  Rector,  the  Afternoon  Preacher,  the  Officers  of  the 
Local  Militia,  and  some  of  the  Berks  Regiment  of  Cavalry,  the 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  385 

Mayor,  Justice,  and  other  members  of  the  Corporation,  the  Grand 
Jury  of  the  Borough,  &c.  The  procession  marched  with  the  band 
p]aying  and  colours  flying,  and  paraded  round  the  Market-place 
and  Town  Hall  to  the  Church,  the  Organ  starting  up  '  God  save 
the  King,'  and  continuing  to  play  till  the  Corporation  had  taken 
their  seats.  The  Rev.  S.  Slocock  preached  an  appropriate  ser- 
mon, after  which  the  Coronation  Anthem  was  sung.  On  the  con- 
clusion of  the  service,  the  procession  returned  to  the  Mansion 
House,  and  shortly  after  the  members  of  the  Corporation  attend- 
ed in  the  Market-place  to  distribute  cakes,  ale,  and  money 
amongst  those  persons  who  were  the  objects  of  the  resolution 
passed  to  this  effect.  This  being  finished,  the  children  formed  a 
ring  and  sang  the  National  Anthem.  The  Corporation  and  a 
large  number  of  gentlemen  dined  at  the  '  Globe '  Inn,  and  passed 
the  afternoon  in  the  utmost  conviviality  and  harmony,  and  re- 
tired about  9  o'clock  to  the  Ball  room,  which  was  honoured  with 
the  presence  of  the  Margravine  of  Anspach  and  other  nobility, 
and  about  400  persons  of  both  sexes  belonging  to  the  town  and 
neighbourhood.  The  dancing  was  kept  up  till  5  o'clock  the 
next  morning,  when  the  company  departed  highly  satisfied  with 
the  heartfelt  pleasures  of  the  day.  Upwards  of  1,800  persons 
obtained  relief,  comfort,  and  enjoyment  on  this  happy  occasion. 
'The  town  of  Newbury,'  says  a  local  journal  of  the  day,  'in 
their  corporate  as  well  as  private  capacity  has  ever  manifested 
the  most  zealous  respect  for  the  person  of  the  King,  and  attach- 
ment to  the  Throne,  but  in  its  arrangements  on  this  occasion  has 
surpassed  itself,  and  set  an  example  worthy  of  the  imitation  of 
every  part  of  the  kingdom.' " 


Burning  of  Hampstead-Marshall  Mill,  near 
Newbury,  18 10. 

On  March  5,  18 10,  the  mill  at  Hampstead-Marshall,  near 
Newfbury,  was  burnt  to  the  ground.  It  is  described  as 
"  a  noble  structure,  and  perhaps  in  every  respect  the  first 
in  the  kingdom."  The  mill  was  very  probably  erected 
by  William,  first  Lord  Craven,  at  the  same  time  as  the 
magnificent  mansion  which  he  built  just  above  it,  the 
architect  being  Sir  Balthazar  Gerbeir,  who  lies  in  the 
adjoining  church.     The  East  Suffolk  militia  were  quar- 

C  c 


386  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

tered  in  Newbury  at  this  time,  and  assisted  in  helping 
to  subdue  the  fire,  but  all  efforts  were  useless. 


The  Local  Militia  and  Yeomanry,  18 10. 

In  May,  1810,  the  ist  Berks  Regiment  of  Local  Militia 
was  inspected  at  Newbury  by  General  Fitzroy,  who  ex- 
pressed himself  highly  satisfied  with  their  appearance  and 
discipline.  A  ball  was  given  at  the  Mansion  House  in 
the  evening  by  the  officers,  which  was  attended  by  Lord 
and  Lady  Craven  and  a  large  company.  The  following 
year  (May  20,  181 1)  the  Ist  Berks  were  reviewed  at  New- 
bury by  His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Cambridge, 
who  complimented  Lieut.-Col.  Page  on  the  efficiency  and 
high  character  of  his  regiment. 

A  presentation  was  made  to  Lieutenant  Calley,  by  the 
members  of  the  Donnington  Castle  and  Newbury  troop  of 
cavalry,  on  Tuesday,  June  19,  181 1,  of  a  silver  goblet, 
"in  testimony  of  his  constant  endeavours  and  zealous 
exertions  to  promote  the  welfare,  the  respectability,  and 
good  discipline  of  the  troop."  After  the  presentation  had 
been  made  by  Capt.  Anthony  Bacon  the  goblet  was  filled 
with  seven  bottles  of  port,  from  which  every  man  in  the 
troop  drank  the  Lieutenant's  health. 

The  Newbury  Coat,  1811. 

The  story  has  often  been  told  of  the  achievement  of 
Mr.  John  Coxeter,  of  Greenham  Mills,  Newbury,  a  well- 
known  cloth  manufacturer,  who  performed  the  astonishing 
feat  of  converting  wool  from  off  the  sheep's  back  into 
cloth,  and  finally  into  a  well-finished  coat,  between  sun- 
rise and  sunset  on  a  summer's  day. 

Mr.  John  Coxeter  was  established  as  a  cloth  manu- 
facturer at  Greenham  Mills,  Newbury,  during  the  early 
years  of  the  present  century,  and  appears  to  have  been 
both  enterprising  and  successful  in  his  business.  He  em- 
ployed at  his  mill  upwards  of  100  hands,  and  he  took 
a  pride  in  the  introduction  of  the  best  and  most  improved 
machinery  in  the  cloth  manufacture.     His  mill  was  driven 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  387 

by  water  power,  and  it  stood  partly  on  the  site  of  the 
present  tanyard  and  flour-mill  at  Greenham.  His  busi- 
ness relations  brought  him  into  contact  with  many  gentle- 
men of  position,  at  the  various  markets  and  agricultural 
gatherings  which  he  attended.  Amongst  these  was  Sir 
John  Throckmorton,  of  Buckland  House.  In  the  course 
of  conversation  Mr.  Coxeter  one  day  remarked  to  the 
worthy  baronet  that  so  great  were  the  improvements  in- 
troduced into  the  cloth-making  machinery  in  his  mill, 
that,  quoth  he,  I  believe  that  in  24  hours  I  could  take  the 
coat  off  your  back,  reduce  it  to  wool,  and  turn  it  back 
into  a  coat  again.  The  vaunt  thus  spoken  in  jest  appears 
to  have  made  such  an  impression  on  Sir  John  Throck- 
morton, that  shortly  afterwards,  at  a  dinner  party,  he  of- 
fered to  lay  a  wager  of  a  thousand  guineas  that  between 
sunrise  and  sunset  a  coat  should  be  made,  the  wool  for 
which  should  have  been  that  morning  growing  on  the 
sheep's  back.  He  thereupon  sent  for  Mr.  Coxeter  to  as- 
certain if  the  feat  were  really  possible.  After  a  careful 
noting  of  the  time  occupied  in  the  various  processes,  Mr. 
Coxeter  replied  in  the  affirmative,  and  the  bet  was  ac- 
cordingly concluded. 

At  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  June  25,  181 1,  Sir 
John  Throckmorton  came  to  Greenham  with  his  shepherd, 
bringing  with  him  two  fat  Southdown  sheep.  Proceed- 
ings at  once  commenced.  The  sheep  were  promptly 
shorn,  the  wool  was  washed,  stubbed,  roved,  spun,  and 
woven ;  the  cloth  was  scoured,  fulled,  tented,  raised, 
sheared,  dyed,  and  dressed.  The  weaving  was  performed 
by  Mr.  John  Coxeter,  jun.,  who  had  been  found  by  pre- 
vious competition  to  be  the  most  expert  workman.  The 
cloth  was  finished,  as  thus  described,  by  four  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  eleven  hours  after  the  commencement  of  the 
sheep-shearing.  The  coat  had  now  to  be  made.  Mr.  James 
White,  tailor,  of  Newbury,  superintended  the  tailoring,  and 
cut  out  the  coat.  Nine  of  his  men,  with  needles  ready 
threaded,  took  the  garment  in  hand  at  four  o'clock,  and 
completed  the  coat  at  twenty  minutes  past  six.  In  the 
meantime  the  news  of  this  extraordinary  match  against 

C  c  2 


388  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

time  had  spread  abroad,  and  an  immense  concourse  of  peo- 
ple was  assembled,  awaiting  with  intense  excitement  the 
achievement  of  the  task.  Taking  his  stand  upon  a  plat- 
form erected  on  the  lawn  in  front  of  Mr.  Coxeter's  drawing- 
room  window,  Sir  John  Throckmorton  appeared  wearing 
the  coat,  in  the  presence  of  an  assemblage  numbering,  as 
was  estimated,  about  five  thousand  people.  The  two  sheep 
which  had  been  despoiled  of  the  wool  were  roasted  whole 
and  cut  up  and  distributed  among  the  people,  together  with 
120  gallons  of  strong  beer,  dispensed  through  Mr.  Coxe- 
ter's liberality,  amidst  much  festive  rejoicing.  Sir  John 
Throckmorton  dined  at  Mr.  Coxeter's,  with  forty  other 
gentlemen,  and  slept  that  night  at  the  "  Pelican  "  Hotel, 
Speenhamland.  The  coat  was  a  hunting  kersey  "  of  a 
dark  Wellington  colour."  The  wager  was  thus  won  with 
nearly  an  hour  and  three-quarters  to  spare. 

To  commemorate  the  event  a  large  historical  oil-paint- 
ing was  executed  by  Mr.  Luke  Clint,  of  Newbury,  and  en- 
graved by  George  Clint,  an  engraver  in  London,  contain- 
ing portraits  of  the  various  gentlemen  and  others  engaged 
in  the  transaction.  This  painting  remained  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Mrs.  Coxeter  until  her  death  in  1876,  at  the  re- 
markable age  of  over  loi  years,  after  which  it  passed  into 
the  hands  of  her  son,  Mr.  Coxeter,  of  Abingdon.  A  silver 
medal  was  presented  to  Mr.  Coxeter  by  the  Royal  Agri- 
cultural Society  of  England. 

The  persons  who  took  part  in  this  interesting  feat  are 
thus  pointed  out  in  the  illustration  of  this  remarkable 
instance  of  manufacturing  celerity.  In  the  centre  of  the 
picture  the  shepherd,  Francis  Druett,  is  represented  shear- 
ing one  of  the  sheep ;  behind  him  the  master  manufac- 
turer, Mr.  John  Coxeter ;  on  his  left  Mr.  Isaac  White,  the 
tailor,  measuring  Sir  John  Throckmorton  for  the  coat ;  on 
his  left,  in  black,  stands  F.  R.  O.  Villebois,  Esq. ;  and  before 
him,  seated  at  the  table,  is  Anthony  Bacon,  Esq. ;  to  the 
right  of  Mr.  Coxeter  stands  Mr.  John  Locket,  a  linen 
manufacturer,  of  Donnington ;  facing  him,  and  with  his 
back  towards  the  spectators,  is  Mr.  Richard  Dibley,  of 
Newbury,  butcher ;  the  youth  beside  him  is  John  Coxeter, 


Newbury  m  the  Nineteenth  Century.  389 

the  son  of  Mr.  Coxeter;  and  the  one  with  the  basket  of 
wool  spooles  is  his  son  William.  John  is  again  repre- 
sented at  work  at  the  loom ;  the  lady  before  him  is  his 
mother,  accompanied  by  another  son  Samuel,  a  child ;  the 
gentleman  standing  at  the  back  of  Mrs.  Coxeter,  and  by 
the  side  of  the  loom,  is  Mr.  Jones,  a  cotton  manufacturer 
of  Greenham. 

The  following  gentlemen  acted  as  Stewards  on  the 
occasion  : — 

Col.  Stead,  of  Donnington  Castle  House,  Anthony  Bacon,  Esq., 
of  Benham,  and  William  Budd,  Esq.,  of  Newbury.  Mr.  R.  W. 
Hiscock,  of  Stroud  Green,  Newbury,  performed  the  duties  of 
Inspector  and  Secretary. 

In  185 1,  when  the  Commissioners  met  at  Newbury  to 
select  some  article  worthy  of  being  forwarded  to  the 
great  Exhibition  of  that  year,  their  attention  was  directed 
to  this  famous  coat,  which  was  then  in  the  possession  of 
Sir  Robert  Throckmorton,  of  Buckland  House.  On  appli- 
cation being  made  to  him,  the  loan  of  the  remarkable  gar- 
ment was  courteously  accorded,  and  for  its  better  security 
the  baronet  provided  for  its  reception  a  handsome  maho- 
gany case  with  plate-glass  front,  in  which  it  was  carefully 
locked  and  sent  to  the  Exhibition.  The  oil-painting  al- 
ready referred  to  was,  by  Mrs.  Coxeter's  permission,  for- 
warded with  it,  and  numerous  copies  of  an  engraving  of 
the  picture  were  sold  during  the  Exhibition.  The  coat 
now  hangs,  in  its  case,  in  the  hall  of  Buckland  House,  near 
Faringdon. 

High  Price  of  Wheat,  18 12. 

In  the  year  18 12  the  price  of  wheat  at  Newbury  market 
was  lOOi'.  to  136J.  per  quarter,  and  bread  was  2s.  6\d.  per 
gallon,  and  it  shortly  afterwards  rose  to  \\2s.  to  148^., 
and  bread  to  2s.  <^d.  In  September  of  this  year  wheat 
made  from  iioj.  to  158J.  a  quarter,  and  bread  rose  to 
2s.  I  \\d.  per  gallon 


390  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

The  Donnington  Castle  and  Newbury  Troop  of 
Yeomanry. 

In  1813  the  officers  and  men  of  the  troop  unanimously 
agreed  to  the  propositions  made  by  government  for  per- 
forming twelve  days'  annual  permanent  duty,  and  at  the 
same  time  declared  themselves  ready  to  undertake  any 
service  that  might  be  required  of  them. ' 

The  Grammar  School,  1814. 

We  have  shewn  in  a  previous  chapter  that  the  Grammar 
School  became  incorporated  with  the  Hospital  of  St.  Bar- 
tholomew in  the  sixteenth  century,  and  the  same  features 
continued  to  characterise  the  whole  management  of  the 
institution  until  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Best  in 
18 14.  The  School-house  then  ceased  to  be  used  for  the 
purposes  of  education,  and  Mrs.  Best,  the  widow  of  the  late 
Master,  was  allowed  to  occupy  the  house,  the  rent  being 
carried  to  the  general  account  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hos- 
pital. 

Among  those  educated  at  the  old  Grammar  School 
were  General  Smith,  father  of  Sir  Henry  Smith,  who  so 
distinguished  himself  in  the  Peninsula,  at  Waterloo,  and 
at  a  later  date  in  India  and  the  Cape  ;  Francis  Baily, 
the  Astronomer ;  Mr.  John  Berkeley  Monck,  M.P.  for 
Reading,  and  Mr.  Orby  Sloper. 

Celebration  of  Peace,  18 14. 

On  April  30,  1814,  the  town  of  Newbury  was  "bril- 
liantly illuminated,"  in  honour  of  the  success  of  the  British 
arms  in  the  Peninsula,  and  the  prospect  of  peace.  During 
the  firing  of  cannon  one  of  the  largest  guns  burst,  and 
striking  a  young  man  named  Stone,  an  apprentice  to 
Mr.  Woodley,  a  currier  of  Newbury,  killed  him  on  the 
spot.  More  rejoicings  succeeded  on  May  29,  when  the 
illuminations  were  very  general  and  elaborate,  particularly 
at  the  old  "  Pelican"  Inn,  the  banks  of  Messrs.  Vincent 
and   Co.,   and    Messrs.  Bunny   and    Co.,   the   picturesque 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteentli  Century.  391 

gabled  house  of  Mr.  Davis  (father  of  Mr.  Alex.  Davis), 
in  Northbrook-street,  the  residences  of  Mr.  Hall  (Attorney), 
Mr.  Haskins,  and  Mr.  Grigg,  &c. 

The  most  important  demonstration  was,  however,  that 
which  took  place  on  Wednesday,  July  13,  18 14,  when 
peace  was  proclaimed. 

A  Committee  having  been  appointed  to  dispose  of  the 
subscribed  fund,  which  included  ;^ioo  granted  by  the 
Corporation,  in  the  way  they  considered  most  generally 
acceptable,  a  public  dinner  to  the  poor  and  industrious 
inhabitants  of  the  town  was  decided  on.  In  the  three 
principal  streets  tables  were  accordingly  arranged,  deco- 
rated with  laurel  branches,  emblems,  &c.,  and  presided 
over  by  stewards  and  assistants.  At  three  o'clock  the 
order  to  commence  dinner  was  given,  and  a  most  sub- 
stantial meal  was  partaken  of.  From  the  table  where  the 
Mayor  presided  the  several  toasts  were  announced  by 
sound  of  trumpet,  and  accompanied  with  appropriate  music 
by  the  band.  After  dinner,  which  was  conducted  with 
the  greatest  order  and  regularity,  the  festivities  were  con- 
tinued in  the  Marsh.  Previous  to  the  dinner  the  Mayor 
and  Corporation,  in  procession,  proceeded  to  the  Market- 
place, where  the  Town  Clerk  read  the  Proclamation  of 
Peace  amidst  the  cheers  of  the  populace. 

At  Greenham  a  monster  pudding,  24  feet  long,  was 
boiled  and  drawn  on  a  timber-carriage  by  eight  beautiful 
oxen,  decorated  with  ribbons,  &c.,  to  Mr.  Coxeter's  manu- 
factory, and  served  at  a  dinner  given  to  800  poor  persons, 
at  which  Mr.  Croft,  of  Greenham  Lodge,  presided. 

The  Battle  of  Waterloo,  1815. 

The  news  of  Napoleon's  defeat  at  Waterloo  was  re- 
ceived with  much  enthusiasm  in  Newbury,  but  there  was 
no  public  demonstration  on  a  large  scale.  Many  persons 
from  this  neighbourhood  visited  the  historic  field  of  battle 
shortly  after  the  great  fight,  amongst  others  a  Mr.  Bicheno, 
of  Newbury,  who  mentions,  in  a  letter  descriptive  of  his 
journey,  that  at  Dieppe  he  met  the  illustrious  Sir  Walter 


392  Newbury,  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

Scott,  who  had  just  returned  from  Waterloo,  where  he 
had  been  to  collect  materials  for  a  new  poem.  "  My  ac- 
quaintance," says  Mr.  Bicheno,  "  with  the  celebrated  man 
was  just  kindled  enough  to  make  me  lament  it  was  so 
soon  terminated." 


The  Newbury  Race  Meetings;  1815. 

In  the  iirst  decades  of  this  centur}?-  races  were  annually 
held  on  Enborne  Heath,  now  enclosed,  and  the  meetings 
were  patronised  by  the  principal  gentlemen  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, who  gave  every  encouragement  to  this  national 
pastime,  which  brought  a  great  many  visitors  into  the 
town,  and  considerably  benefitted  the  trade  of  the  place. 
We  find  among  the  Stewards  and  supporters  of  the  New- 
bury race-meetings  the  names  of  the  Margrave  and  Mar- 
gravine of  Anspach,  Lord  Craven,  Lord  Carnarvon,  Hon. 
George  Herbert,  Mr.  Dundas  (afterwards  Lord  Amesbury), 
Fulwar  Craven,  Lord  Arthur  Somerset,  Sir  Joseph  An- 
drews, Bart.,  R.  Kingsmill,  Esq.,  of  Sydmonton,  Mr. 
Croft,  of  Greenham,  Matthew  Montagu,  Esq.,  of  Sandle- 
ford.  General  Popham,  of  Littlecote,  W.  Mount,  Esq.,  John 
Bebb,  Esq.,  Donnington  Grove,  W.  Poyntz,  Esq.,  Midgham, 
Hon.  R.  Neville,  M.R,  F.  Villebois,  Esq.,  W.  Hallett,  Esq., 
Capt.  Craven,  Bartholomew  Wroughton,  Esq.,  Woolley 
Park,  Richmond  Seymour,  Esq.,  and  many  other  local 
residents.  The  Corporation  of  Newbury  gave  annually 
a  cup  value  £'^0,  and  the  race-week  was  the  event  of  the 
year.  In  181 5  a  gold  cup  was  run  for,  value  100  guineas, 
and  there  were  in  addition  a  sweepstake  of  20  guineas 
each,  s  subs.;  a  sweepstake  of  15  guineas  each,  with  25 
guineas  added,  4  subs. ;  a  sweepstake  of  10  guineas  each, 
6  subs.  ;  a  sweepstake  of  5  guineas  each,  with  £2^^,  added, 
S  subs. ;  and  a  handicap  plate  value  £^0.  This  represents 
about  the  average  value  of  the  "  events "  competed  for. 
Mr.  R.  W.  Hiscock,  of  Stroud  Green,  acted  for  many  years 
as  Clerk  to  the  Stewards,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Major 
Bull.  During  the  race-week  "  Ordinaries  "  were  provided 
at  the  "Pelican,"  the  "Globe/'  and  the  principal  hotels 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  393 

in  the  town,  a  grand  ball  was  given  at  the  Mansion  House, 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Mayor  and  Corporation,  and  the 
theatre  was  opened  nightly  with  a  special  caste  from  the 
London  stage. 

The  Newbury  race-meeting  was  ultimately  discon- 
tinued. 

Present  to  the  Corporation,  1815. 

In  September,  18 15,  the  Corporation  were  presented  by 
Capt.  Charles  Barnard,  of  the  H.E.I.C.  ship  "Wexford," 
with  an  elegant  set  of  porcelain,  purposely  manufactured 
at  Canton.  This  tea-service,  consisting  of  109  pieces, 
was  given  to  Mr.  Bodman,  a  brother-in-law  of  the  donor, 
by  the  old  Corporation  on  the  dissolution  of  that  body  by 
the  passing  of  the  Municipal  Corporations  Act  in  1835. 
A  motion  for  its  restitution  was  made  by  one  of  the  new 
council  in  1836,  but  an  amendment  was  carried  to  the 
effect  that  as  the  gift  was  made  in  error  the  Corporation 
were  not  inclined  to  recall  it. 

The  Royal  Sussex  Lodge  of  Freemasons, 
Newbury,  1816. 

On  January  29,  18 16,  the  consecration  of  a  new  Lodge  of 
Masons,  called  the  "  Royal  Sussex  Lodge,"  No.  672,  took 
place  at  Newbury,  when  many  of  the  fraternity  from  the 
London,  Reading,  and  other  Lodges  attended.  The 
Lodge  was  opened  at  an  early  hour,  and  at  twelve  o'clock 
the  brethren  attended  divine  service  at  the  church ;  the 
prayers  were  read  by  the  Rev.  Brother  Hornbuckle,  and 
the  Rev.  B.  Pope  preached  the  sermon,  after  which  the 
ceremony  of  consecration  took  place.  At  five  o'clock  the 
brethren,  attended  by  an  excellent  band,  sat  down  to 
dinner,  and  the  evening  was  spent  with  the  conviviality 
which  distinguishes  Masonic  meetings. 

The  Mayor  shot  at,  1816. 
Between  twelve  and  one  in  the  morning  of  May  20, 18 16, 
a  loaded  musket  was  discharged  at  the  window  of  the 


394  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Cetttury. 

bedroom  of  the  Mayor,  Mr.  Benjamin  Barnard,  while  he 
was  in  bed,  and  the  contents  having  entered  the  window, 
struck  the  bedposts  and  the  head  of  the  bed,  but  his  Wor- 
ship escaped  injury.  The  Corporation  offered  loO  guineas 
reward  for  the  discovery  of  the  offender. 

Life-boat  invented  by  Mr.  Plenty,  of  Newbury, 

1816. 

On  July  2,  1 8 16,  a  boat  of  a  new  construction  for  pre- 
serving lives,  or  for  general  purposes,  built  by  Mr.  William 
Plenty,  of  Newbury,  a  gentleman  eminent  in  his  day  for 
his  inventive  genius  and  skill  in  mechanical  science,  was 
launched  from  West  Mills,  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
assemblage  of  persons  belonging  to  the  town  and  neigh- 
bourhood. This  precursor  of  our  modern  life-boats  was 
christened  "  The  Experiment,"  and  more  than  eighty 
persons  sailed  down  the  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal  in  her, 
on  the  way  to  Reading  and  the  London  Docks,  where 
her  capabilities  were  exhibited  by  Mr.  Plenty  before  the 
Elder  Brethren  of  the  Trinity  House,  and  the  Directors 
of  the  East  India  Company,  who  pronounced  a  most 
favourable  opinion  of  her  merits  as  a  life-saving  medium. 
The  famous  Admiral,  Sir  Edward  Pellew  (created  Viscount 
Exmouth,  Sept.  21,  1816),  took  a  keen  interest  in  Mr. 
Plenty's  humane  exertions,  and  agreed  with  other  dis- 
tinguished naval  authorities  that  his  boat  was  built  on 
such  a  principle  of  complete  safety  that  it  was  impossible 
to  sink  her,  or  that  she  could  become  water-logged,  or 
even  bilged  against  rocks.  The  Lords  of  the  Admiralty 
and  the  Royal  National  Institution  for  the  Preservation 
of  Lives  from  Shipwreck  ordered  several  of  Mr.  Plenty's 
life-boats,  after  practical  test  of  their  powers,  and  they 
were  for  many  years  in  use  at  various  places  along  the 
coast ;  one  at  Appledore,  Devon,  and  another  at  Skegness, 
in  Lincolnshire,  having  been  instrumental  in  saving  120 
lives.  Mr.  Edward  Pellew  Plenty,  son  of  the  inventor 
(to  whom  Lord  Exmouth  was  sponsor),  in  conjunction 
with  his  brother  James,   exhibited  his  father's  life-boat, 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  395 

with  certain  modifications  and  improvements,  at  the  great 
Exhibition  of  185 1,  in  a  competition  in  which  tliere  were 
over  300  entries,  for  a  reward  of  ;^io5  given  by  the  Duke 
of  Northumberland,  for  a  hfe-boat  fulfiUing  certain  con- 
ditions, and  obtained  third  honours,  but  the  Appledore 
boat,  which  stood  second,  was  but  an  improved  copy  ot 
the  Plenty  life-boat  at  that  station.  The  prize  was  awarded 
to  Mr.  James  Beeching,  of  Yarmouth,  but  his  boats  have 
not  been  found  completely  efficacious.  Mr.  Plenty,  sen., 
was  also  known  as  the  inventor  and  patentee  of  the  im- 
proved Berkshire  iron  plough,  which,  in  1806,  took  both 
the  premiums  of  fifty  and  twenty  guineas  offered  by  the 
Duke  of  Bridgewater  for  ploughs  proved  to  be  the  best 
adapted  to  all  purposes  of  husbandry  and  agriculture. 
He  was  also  the  originator  of  many  other  valuable  appli- 
cations of  mechanical  power,  which  shew  that  he  must 
have  possessed  an  unusual  talent  as  a  practical  engineer 
and  scientist. 


Education  of  the  poor  in  Newbury  in  1S18. 

The  following  information  respecting  the  provision 
made  for  educating  the  children  of  the  poor  in  Newbury, 
in  18 18,  is  extracted  from  the  answer  of  the  Rev.  James 
Roe,  Rector,  to  the  Circular  Letter  of  the  Committee  of 
the  House  of  Commons  on  Education,  of  which  Mr. 
Brougham,  afterwards  Lord  Brougham,  was  Chairman  : — 

'■^Newbury,  James  Roe,  Rector,  May  14,  1818. 

"The  Schools  which  exist  in  this  parish  upon  charitable 
foundations  are : — 

"  I.  One  attached  to  St.  Bartholomew's  hospital,  which  used 
to  educate  six  town  boys,  the  chaplain  of  the  hospital  being  the 
master.  His  Salary  for  reading  prayers  to  the  almspeople  and 
educating  six  boys  was  jQ\2  per  annum,  and  a  house  to  live  in. 
The  school  has  been  discontinued  about  twenty  years ;  and  since 
the  death  of  the  last  incumbent,  in  1814,  no  one  has  been  ap- 
pointed to,  nor  has  any  one  applied  for,  the  situation. 


396  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

"  2.  The  Blue  Coat  School,  which  consists  of 
1 8  boys  sent  by  Corporation, 
10  boys  by  Richard  Cowslade's  gift, 
10  boys  by  John  Kimber's  gift. 

Total  38 

"  These  boys  are  all  clothed,  and  Cowslade's  and  Kimber's  are 
apprenticed  after  they  leave  school.  The  Salary  of  the  master 
is  ^^38  per  annum. 

"  3.  Francis  Coxhead  left  the  surplus  of  income  arising  from 
certain  lands,  after  supporting  some  almspeople,  for  the  educa- 
tion of  poor  children  of  Newbury.  The  sum  so  applied  has 
latterly  been  upwards  of  £,()o  per  annum. 

"  4.  Thomas  Hunt  left  an  estate  also,  charging  it  with  certain 
payments,  and  the  surplus  to  be  appHed  to  the  education  of  poor 
children  of  Newbury.  The  sum  thus  expended  is  about  ^28 
per  annum. 

"  N.B.  Coxhead's  and  Hunt's  children  are  educated  at  dif- 
ferent private  schools,  besides  the  trustees  of  each  charity  allow- 
ing £^20  per  annum  towards  the  support  of  the  boys  and  girls  of 
the  Lancastrian  schools. 

"  There  are  four  schools,  supported  chiefly  by  voluntary  con- 
tributions ;  two  on  Dr.  Bell's  plan,  and  two  on  Lancaster's. 
Each  of  the  boys'  schools  contain  about  200  scholars;  the  Bell's 
girls'  school  about  150,  and  the  Lancastrian  girls'  school 
about  100." 

"  The  means  of  education  which  this  parish  possesses  are 
ample ;  and  the  poorer  classes  have  not  expressed  any  desire  to 
have  them  enlarged." 

The  Trial  of  Queen  Caroline,  1820. 
The  sympathies  of  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Newbury  were  entirely  with  Queen  Caroline  throughout 
the  proceedings  instituted  against  her,  and  possibly  no- 
where in  the  kingdom  was  her  cause  more  heartily  and 
enthusiastically  supported.  Encouraging  addresses  were 
sent  to  the  Queen  by  the  inhabitants,  the  Weavers'  Com- 
pany, and  the  ladies  of  the  town  and  the  neighbourhood. 
Petitions  were  also  sent  to  the  King  praying  for  a  reform 
of  the  Commons'  House  of  Parliament,  and  the  dismissal 
of  his  Majesty's  ministers.      The    Rector  of  the   parish, 


Newhury  in  the  Nineteenth  Centnry.  397 

the  Rev.  Jas.  Roe,  declined  to  omit  the  Queen's  name 
in  the  Liturgy,  as  did  also  the  Afternoon  Lecturer,  until 
they  were  served  with  an  interdiction  from  the  Bishop 
of  the  Diocese.  Upon  the  abandonment  of  the  Pains  and 
Penalties  Bill  the  joy  of  the  inhabitants  was  unbounded. 
The  town  was  brilliantly  illuminated,  and  the  rejoicings 
were  general.  A  "dutiful  address"  was  forwarded  to 
the  Queen  expressing  the  sincere  and  cordial  congratula- 
tions of  the  inhabitants  on  the  termination  "  of  the  odious 
and  cruel  proceedings;"  and  thanks  were  awarded  to  the 
Marquis  of  Lansdowne,  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon,  Mr.  Broug- 
ham, and  others  "  for  their  fair,  manly,  and  upright  con- 
duct in  opposing  the  unjust,  unfair,  and  unconstitutional 
proceedings  against  our  persecuted  Queen."  In  addition 
to  all  this  a  pair  of  the  handsomest  and  most  costly 
blankets  that  could  be  manufactured  at  the  blanket- 
factory  at  Greenham  (Mr.  Coxeter's)  were  made  as  a 
present  to  the  Queen.  They  bore  the  royal  arms,  and 
other  devices,  worked  in  silk,  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
John  Locket,  of  Donnington.  A  subscription  was  opened 
to  defray  the  expense,  and  an  address  prepared  to  accom- 
pany the  blankets.  The  death  of  the  Queen  the  follow- 
ing year  (August  7,  1821)  spread  a  general  gloom  over 
the  town  of  Newbury,  and  the  inhabitants  shewed  the 
greatest  respect  to  her  memory. 

Prince  Leopold  of  Saxe-Coburg  visits 
Newbury,  1821. 
H.R.H.  Prince  Leopold  of  Saxe-Coburg,  afterwards 
King  of  the  Belgians,  and  who,  in  18 16,  married  the 
Princess  Charlotte,  only  child  of  George  IV.,  paid  a  visit 
to  the  Earl  of  Craven  at  his  seat,  Hampstead  Lodge,  near 
Newbury,  on  Monday,  January  8,  182 1,  and  passed  through 
Speenhamland.  The  Prince  formed  one  of  a  numerous 
shooting-party  assembled  at  Hampstead. 

Celebration  at  Newbury  of  the  Coronation  of 
King  George  IV.,  1821. 
The  Coronation  of  George  IV.,  July  19,  1821,  was  but 
indifferently    celebrated    at   Newbury;    the    conduct    of 


398  Neivhiry  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

the  King  towards  the  Queen  having  effectually  dimin- 
ished the  affections  of  the  majority  of  his  Majesty's 
liege  subjects  in  the  town.  In  the  evening  there  was 
a  dinner  at  the  Mansion  House  in  -honour  of  the  occasion, 
at  which  the  Mayor,  Mr.  J.  G.  Marriner,  presided.  One 
of  the  members  of  the  Yeomanry  Cavalry  present  going 
out  of  his  way  to  abuse  the  Queen,  it  was  communicated 
to  the  crowd  outside,  who  smashed  many  of  the  windows 
of  the  hall,  and  one  of  the  cavalry  men  had  his  skull 
fractured  by  a  blow  from  a  brickbat  thrown  by  one  of 
the  mob.  Ultimately  there  was  "  a  grand  battle  royal  " 
between  the  members  of  the  cavalry  troop  who  were  left 
in  the  room  and  the  crowd,  in  which  divers  heads  were 
broken,  and  other  injuries  mutually  inflicted.  The  riot 
was  ultimately  quelled  by  the  firm  and  courageous  con- 
duct of  the  Mayor,  and  a  reward  of  £'^0  offered  for  the 
discovery  of  the  person  who  so  seriously  injured  the  gen- 
tleman belonging  to  the  Yeomanry. 

Great  Storm  at  Newbury,  1821. 
On  Thursday,  December  27,  1821,  the  town  of  New- 
bury and  neighbourhood  was  visited  by  a  terrific  storm 
of  hail  and  rain,  accompanied  with  thunder  and  lightning. 
The  river  banks  were  washed  away  in  many  places, 
bridges  were  destroyed  by  the  rush  of  waters,  chimnies 
and  walls  were  thrown  down  by  the  gale,  and  many  large 
trees  were  uprooted— in  some  cases  being  broken  short 
off  in  the  stem. 

William  Cobbett  at  Newbury,  1821-2. 

William  Cobbett,  the  famous  political  writer  and  re- 
former, paid  a  visit  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Newbury  in 
182 1,  and  inspected  Prosperous  Farm,  near  Hungerford, 
formerly  occupied  by  Jethro  Tull,  whose  treatise  on,  and 
practice  of.  Horse  Hoeing  Husbandry  is  the  only  system- 
atic work  on  that  subject  extant.  During  his  stay  Cob- 
bett had  a  run  with  Mr.  Warde's  hounds,  and  made 
himself  practically  acquainted  with  agricultural  matters 


Neivhiry  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  399 

in  this  district.  The  following  year  he  attended  the 
market-ordinary  at  the  "  George  and  Pelican "  Inn,  at 
Speenhanaland,  on  Thursday,  October  17,  1822,  and  ad- 
dressed an  audience  of  over  200  persons  ;  numbers  were 
unable  to  obtain  admittance,  and  the  doors  and  windows 
were  besieged  by  the  admirers  of  a  man  who,  whatever 
his  faults  may  have  been,  deserves  to  be  ranked  as  one 
of  the  boldest  and  purest  of  English  politicians. 

Visit  of  the  Duke  of  Gloucester  to 
Newbury,  1822. 

H.R.H.  William  Frederick,  Duke  of  Gloucester,  nephew 
to  King  George  III.,  visited  John  Bebb,  Esq.,  at  Don- 
nington  Grove,  near  Newbury,  on  September  24,  1822. 
On  Wednesday  the  Duke,  accompanied  by  a  numerous 
retinue,  visited  Shaw  House,  and  expressed  himself  as 
being  much  gratified  with  his  visit  to  this  historic  man- 
sion. He  minutely  examined  the  hole  in  the  wainscot 
produced  by  a  bullet  fired  at  Charles  I.  while  standing 
at  the  window,  and  walked  round  the  earthworks  in  the 
garden.  The  Duke  then  visited  the  town  of  Newbury, 
and  partook  of  a  dejeuner  at  the  residence  of  Matthew 
Montagu,  Esq.,  at  Sandleford  Priory,  after  which  he 
returned  to  Donnington  Grove  where  a  select  party  were 
invited  to  meet  him.  He  left  the  next  day  for  Bagshot 
Park. 

The  Resurrectionists,  1822. 

Until  the  alteration  in  the  law  in  1832,  the  Resurrec- 
tionists, or  "  Body-snatchers,"  were  almost  the  only  means 
by  which  the  anatomical  teachers  could  obtain  a  supply 
of  human  subjects  for  the  purpose  of  dissection.  At  the 
commencement  of  a  new  session  at  the  hospitals  the 
leading  Resurrectionists  might  be  seen  looking  out  for 
lecturers ;  and  "  fifty  pounds  down,  and  nine  guineas 
a  body "  was  often  acceded  to ;  the  former  being  the 
opening  fee  from  each  school,  promised  an  exclusive 
supply.     In  some  cases  as  much  as  twenty  pounds  was 


400  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

known  to  have  been  given  for  a  single  subject,  in  healthy 
seasons.     These   outrages  were  very  extensive  at  New- 
bury and  in  the  neighbourhood.      In   1822  the  body  of 
a  person  of  the  name  of  Pearce,  who  had  been  Master 
of  the  workhouse  at  Speen,  was  stolen  from  Speen  church- 
yard, and  found  in  the  possession  of  a  party  of  Resurrec- 
tionists  at   Hungerford,  and  it  appeared   that  they  had 
been  very  successful  at  Reading  and  Newbury.     Various 
means  were  resorted   to  in  order  to   prevent    the  graves 
from   being   pillaged,   such   as    burying    the    coffins    at   a 
great  depth,  and  securing  them  with  iron  bands  attached 
to  a  stone  of  great  weight  at  the  bottom  of  the  grave. 
The  usual  modus  operandi  of  the  body-snatchers  was  to 
open  the  ground  to  the  head  of  the  coffin,  which  they 
then  forced,  and  the  body  was  drawn  out.     The  death- 
gear  was  then  removed  from  the  corpse  and  replaced  in 
the  coffin,  the  body  being  generally  placed  in  a  sack  and 
carried  to  a  spring- cart,  or  other  conveyance. 

Foundation-stone  of  the  new  Independent 
Chapel  laid,  1822. 

The  old  Independent  meeting-house  being  much  out 
of  repair  was  pulled  down,  and  on  June  4,  1 822,  the 
foundation-stone  of  the  present  chapel  was  laid  at  the 
north-east  angle  of  the  building  by  the  Rev.  John  Winter. 
The  new  chapel  was  opened  on  the  following  October  8, 
when  the  Rev.  John  Cooke  preached  in  the  morning,  and 
the  Rev.  W.  Jay,  of  Bath,  in  the  evening.  Rowland  Hill 
preached  in  the  new  chapel  on  the  evening  of  Friday, 
November  14,  1823. 

The  Quarter  Sessions  held  at  Newbury,  1823. 

The  Easter  Quarter  Sessions  for  the  county  of  Berks 
were  formerly  held  in  Newbury,  but  were  discontinued 
being  held  here  for  a  time  in  1823.  At  the  Epiphany 
Sessions  held  at  Abingdon  in  1824,  Mr.  Charles  Dundas, 
M.P.,  brought  forward  a  motion  that  the  Court  should 
be  held  once  a  year  at  Newbury,  according  to  ancient 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  401 

custom,  but  lost  his  motion  by  a  large  majority.  The 
resolution  was  carried  at  the  Epiphany  Sessions  in  1825, 
upon  better  provision  being  made  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  Court,  and  the  Sessions  were  again  held 
in  the  town  as  formerly.  They  were  discontinued  being 
held  at  Newbury  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  passed 
at  the  Epiphany  Sessions  in  1841. 


Presentation  to  Capt.  Bacon,  1823. 

On  October  28,  1823,  the  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates  of  the  Donnington  Castle  and  Newbury 
troop  of  the  ist  Berks  Cavalry  invited  their  Captain, 
Anthony  Bacon,  to  a  dinner  at  the  Mansion  House, 
Newbury,  which  was  attended  by  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon, 
Lord  Porchester,  Charles  Dundas,  Esq.,  M.P.,  Colonel  of 
the  regiment,  and  other  gentlemen  interested  in  the  corps. 
After  dinner  the  Quartermaster,  Mr.  W.  Davis,  four  ser- 
geants, and  a  private  of  the  troop  proceeded  from  the 
Council  Chamber  with  a  superb  and  elegantly  embossed 
silver  tureen,  which  being  delivered  to  Lieutenant  Alfred 
Slocock,  that  gentleman,  "  in  a  manly  and  dignified  speech," 
presented  it  to  Captain  Bacon  in  recollection  of  his  ser- 
vices to  the  troop  during  a  period  of  nearly  twenty  years. 

For  some  time  the  regiment  had  the  advantage  of  the 
services,  as  Adjutant,  of  Capt.  Welsh,  a  half-pay  officer, 
who  had  served  with  distinction  in  the  nth  and  17th 
Light  Dragoons.  He  died  suddenly  on  April  2,  1824, 
and  was  buried  in  Newbury  churchyard  with  military 
honours. 


Presentation  to  Charles  Dundas,  Esq.,  M.P.,  1823. 

On  October  17,  1823,  the  inhabitants  of  Newbury  and 
Speenhamland  presented,  at  a  dinner  held  at  the  Mansion 
House,  a  costly  service  of  plate  to  Charles  Dundas,  Esq., 
M.P.,  of  Elcot,  as  a  record  of  the  honourable  estimation 
in  which  his  eminent  and  extended  public  services  were 
held  by  his  friends  and  neighbours. 

Dd 


403  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

The  Town  of  Newbury  first  lighted  with 

Gas,  1825. 
The  town  of  Newbury  and  the   adjoining  hamlet   ot 
Speenhamland  were  first  lighted  with  gas  on  Thursday 
evening,  December  29,  1825  ;    Mr.  Hedley  being  the  con- 
tractor for  supplying  the  same. 

Newbury  and  Speenhamland  Improvement 
Act,  1825. 

An  Act  for  lighting,  watching,  paving,  cleansing,  and 
improving  the  highways  and  places  within  the  borough, 
town,  and  parish  of  Newbury,  and  the  tithing  or  hamlet 
of  Speenhamland,  received  the  Royal  Assent  this  year 
(May  20).     The  preamble  states, — 

"  Whereas  the  Borough  and  Town  of  Newbury,  in  the  County 
of  Berks,  is  populous  and  a  Place  of  Trade,  and  is  also  a  great 
Thoroughfare  for  Travellers." 

Among  the  projects  proposed  by  this  Act  were  a  new 
town-hall  and  butchers'  market  in  lieu  of  the  ancient 
building  then  standing  in  the  centre  of  the  Market-place  ; 
a  new  gaol  and  house  of  correction  ;  widening  of  the  Man- 
sion House  corner  ;  a  new  street  from  Bartholomew-street 
to  the  Market-place,  through  the  "Half  Moon"  and 
"  Catherine  Wheel "  yards  (which  has  been  a  public 
thoroughfare  from  time  immemorial) ;  a  new  line  of  road 
from  the  top  of  Bartholomew-street  leading  towards  New- 
town ;  and  a  new  street  from  Bartholomew-street  to 
Greenham. 

Dangerfield's  Charity,  1826. 

Richard  Dangerfield,  by  will  dated  January  20, 
1826,  bequeathed  to  trustees  the  sum  oi  £\oo,  the  interest 
thereof  to  be  divided  yearly  amongst  the  twelve  alms- 
people  in  the  Church  Almshouses,  share  and  share  alike. 
And  he  bequeathed  to  the  same  parties  the  further  sum  of 
;^i,500  Four  per  cent.  Annuities,  upon  trust,  to  pay  the  in- 
terest of  .^1,000  part  thereof,  to  his  sister  Hannah  Mould- 
ing, the   interest   of  ^300  to  Elizabeth  Child,  and  the 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Centiiry.  403 

interest  of  the  remaining  ;^200  to  his  sister-in-law,  Eli- 
zabeth  Jones,  during  their  respective  lives  ;  and,  upon 
trust,  after  the  decease  of  the  said  parties,  or  any  of  them, 
to  apply  the  interest  of  ;^300  between  the  two  alms- 
people  in  Coxedd's  almshouse,  and  the  two  in  Pearce's 
almshouse.  The  interest  of  £600,  for  the  relief  of  poor 
persons  belonging  to  the  society  of  Protestant  dissenters 
at  Newbury,  called  "  Independents,"  in  such  proportions 
as  the  said  trustees  should  think  proper.  The  interest  of 
;^300,  towards  the  relief  of  poor  persons  belonging  to  the 
society  of  Protestant  dissenters  at  Newbury  called  "  Metho- 
dists." The  interest  of  ^^"300,  the  residue  of  the  said  stock, 
for  the  relief  of  poor  persons  belonging  to  the  society  of 
Protestant  dissenters  at  Newbury  called  "  Baptists." 

The  Yeomanry  Cavalry,  1827-8. 

In  January,  1827,  Captain  Anthony  Bacon  was  ap- 
pointed major  of  the  ist  Berks  Yeomanry  Cavalry,  and 
Charles  Archer  Houblon,  Esq.,  Captain.  Major  Bacon 
died  soon  after,  August  11  in  the  same  year,  at  his  seat 
Aberavon,  near  Neath,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  vault 
in  Shaw  churchyard. 

The  Government,  in  1828,  decided  to  discontinue  the 
grant  for  the  payment  of  the  Yeomanry  force,  but  certain 
regiments  were  permitted  to  remain  embodied  without 
receiving  any  pay.  The  Newbury  troop  of  the  1st  Berks 
Regiment  of  Cavalry  was  afterwards  re-established  as  the 
"  Newbury  and  Welford  Troop,"  by  their  commander, 
Capt.  Houblon,  of  Welford  Park.  He  assumed  the  sur- 
name and  arms  of  Eyre  on  succeeding  his  father,  John 
Archer  Houblon,  Esq.,  in  the  Welford  estates  in  1831. 

Death  of  the  Margravine  of  Anspach,  1828. 

The  Margrave  of  Anspach  devised  Benham  Park,  near 
Newbury,  to  the  Margravine,  who  resided  there  for  some 
time  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  until  about  the  year 
18 1 1,  when  the  house  was  let  to  Mr.  Bacon.  On  the  death 
of  the  Margravine  it  became  the  property  of  her  youngest 

D  d  2 


404  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Cetitury. 

son,  the  Hon.  Keppel  Richard  Craven.  The  Margravine 
was  extremely  popular  in  Newbury,  her  many  charitable 
and  kind  acts  having  endeared  her  to  all  classes.  In  a 
very  spirited  public  address  upon  leaving  Benham,  in 
1811,  the  Margravine  says  :— 

"  I  take  this  method  of  assuring  the  people  of  Newbury,  and 
all  the  worthy  yeomanry  of  the  County  of  Berks,  that  I  only  wish 
that  I  had  ten  times  as  much  landed  property  in  that  county  as 
I  have,  to  have  ten  times  the  means  and  opportunities  of  proving 
my  attachment  to  it." 

The  Margravine  died  at  Naples,  January  13,  1828,  and 
was  buried  there. 

The  Speenhamland  Obelisk,  1828. 

The  stone  lamp  pillar  in  the  Broadway,  Speenhamland, 
was  erected  by  public  subscription  in  1828.  The  Com- 
missioners of  the  hamlet  under  the  Improvement  Act 
contributing  £10. 

Visit  of  the  Queen  of  Portugal,  1828. 

On  Monday,  Oct.  6,  1828,  the  Queen  of  Portugal  arrived 
at  the  "Pelican"  Inn,  Speenhamland,  on  her  way  to  Lon- 
don. In  the  suite  which  accompanied  her  Majesty  was 
the  Marquis  Barbacena,  and  the  Marchioness  de  Palmella, 
and  her  daughter  ;  Sir  William  Fremantle,  Treasurer  of  the 
King's  Household,  and  Lord  Clinton,  one  of  the  King's 
Lords-in-Waiting,  who  were  appointed  to  attend  the  Queen 
during  her  residence  in  England.  Her  Majesty  appeared 
several  times  at  the  drawing-room  windows  of  the  "  Peli- 
can," and  bowed  in  response  to  the  crowd  which  had 
assembled  to  give  her  a  hearty  greeting.  The  royal  party 
dined  at  the  "  Pelican,"  and  afterwards  proceeded  to 
London. 

The  Old  Guildhall,  1828. 

In  this  year  the  Old  Guildhall  in  the  Market-place  was 
taken  down. 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  405 

The  Old  Cloth  Hall,  1829. 
In  the  year  1829  the  interesting  Jacobean  Cloth  Hall, 
near   the   Wharf,   was    repaired   at  the   expense    of   the 
Corporation,  which  is  still  an   interesting  object  to  the 
antiquary. 

The  Grammar  School,  1829. 

It  appears  from  an  account  of  the  proceedings  taken  to 
effect  the  re-establishment  of  the  Grammar  School,  that  in 
the  year  1829  certain  irregularities  were  stated  to  exist  in 
the  management  of  the  affairs  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hos- 
pital ;  and  in  consequence  thereof,  Mr.  Robert  Baker,  the 
Town  Clerk  of  Newbury,  was  ordered  to  bring  the  Charity 
before  the  Court  of  Chancery.  Accordingly,  in  this  year 
(1829)  Mr.  Baker  filed  a  Bill  in  Chancery,  by  the  direction 
of  the  Corporation,  and  was  himself  Relator  in  the  cause. 

Proclamation  of  William  IV.  at  Newbury, 
1830. 

The  accession  of  William  IV.  was  proclaimed  in  New- 
bury, July  5,  1830.  A  breakfast  was  first  partaken  of 
at  the  Mansion  House  by  about  100  of  the  principal 
inhabitants.  Subsequently  the  Mayor,  Mr.  W.  Mills,  ac- 
companied by  the  Recorder,  Mr.  Charles  Dundas,  M.P., 
the  members  of  the  Corporation  in  their  robes,  and  a 
considerable  number  of  the  townspeole,  headed  by  a  band 
of  music,  the  school-children,  &c.,  proceeded  to  the  Mar- 
ket-place, where  the  Proclamation  was  read  by  Mr.  Baker, 
the  Town  Clerk,  and  received  with  loyal  cheers  by  the 
populace.  The  ceremony  was  repeated  at  the  two  ex- 
treme points  of  the  borough. 

The  Machine  Riots,  1830. ! 

In  November,  1830,  the  neighbourhood  of  Newbury  was 
the  scene  of  a  riotous  assemblage  of  misguided  farm- 
labourers  and  others,  who,  in  order  to  obtain  a  rise  in 
their  wages,  and  to  compel  the  farmers  to  discontinue  the 


406  Newbury  m  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

use  of  machinery  for  the  purposes  of  ag^riculture,  committed 
violent  depredations,  by  breaking  in  pieces  all  farming 
machines,  and  setting  fire  to  barns,  stacks  of  corn,  and 
even  to  dwelling-houses.  The  extensive  preparations  and 
display  of  force  thought  necessary  to  secure  these  rustic 
rioters,  as  described  in  a  local  journal,  shew  what  alarm 
and  excitement  these  lawless  proceedings  must  have  oc- 
casioned at  the  time.  The  Government  having  been  ap- 
prised of  the  disorders,  a  detachment  of  the  Grenadier 
Guards  was  despatched  from  London,  in  express  stage- 
coaches, under  the  command  of  Capt.  Anson  and  Lieut. 
Reynoldson,  followed  by  a  troop  of  Lancers  commanded 
by  Lieut.  Vezey.  At  1 1  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  the  day 
the  rioters  were  to  be  attacked,  an  Order  was  issued  by 
the  High  Sheriff,  Mr.  John  Walter,  for  every  inhabitant  of 
Newbury  who  could  muster  on  horseback  to  repair  to  the 
Market-place  at  12  o'clock,  and  there  to  await  further 
orders.  At  the  time  appointed  a  numerous  body  of 
horsemen  put  in  an  appearance,  and  were  drawn  up  in 
line,  the  late  members  of  the  Donnington  Castle  and 
Newbury  troop  of  Yeomanry  having  the  post  of  honour. 
The  order  to  "  form  fours  "  having  been  given  and  promptly 
obeyed,  the  cavalcade,  headed  by  a  number  of  county 
magistrates,  Mr.  Satchell,  the  Mayor  of  Newbury,  Lieut, 
and  Cornet  Slocock,  and  the  ex-non-commissioned  officers 
of  the  cavalry,  proceeded  to  Speenhamland  to  join  another 
company  of  horsemen  assembled  at  the  "  George  and 
Pelican  "  Inn.  Thus  reinforced,  the  yeomanry  and  their 
valorous  followers  "  advanced  at  a  trot  to  Gravel  Hill, 
Stockcross."  Here  they  found  another  contingent,  led  by 
Lord  Craven,  "  consisting  of  many  of  his  lordship's  friends, 
tenantry,  and  a  numerous  party  of  special  constables, 
upwards  of  two  hundred  strong."  This  formidable  force 
of  horse  and  foot  then  moved  towards  Kintbury,  the 
stronghold  of  the  discontented  and  disorderly  peasantry ; 
the  detachment  of  Grenadiers  following  in  the  rear  in  the 
stage-coaches  provided  for  their  conveyance  to  the  scene 
of  action.  But  the  motley  column  had  not  yet  reached 
its  full  numerical  strength.     Before  the  leading  squadrons 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  407 

of  horsemen  arrived  at  the  lane  leading  from  the  Bath  road 
to  Kintbury  they  were  met  by  the  High  Sheriff,  Colonel 
Dundas,  M.P.,  Capt.  Houblon,  "  and  a  great  many  more 
gentlemen  of  the  neighbourhood."  The  position  of  the 
enemy  having  been  carefully  reconnoitred,  a  Council  of 
War  was  held,  and  the  plan  of  operations  communicated 
to  the  different  divisions  of  the  force  by  Col.  Dundas. 
The  attack  commenced  by  detachments  of  horse  ad- 
vancing to  the  south  and  west  sides  of  Kintbury,  to  pre- 
vent the  rioters  from  escaping ;  while  the  main  body  of 
the  constables,  horsemen,  and  the  Grenadier  Guards  took 
up  a  position  in  front,  and  on  the  east  side  of  the  village. 
The  astonished  malcontents  finding  themselves  barred 
from  escape  sought  a  temporary  retreat  in  the  public- 
houses,  stables,  and  any  cottage  or  outhouse  where  they 
could  conceal  themselves,  while  many  succeeded  in  reach- 
ing the  neighbouring  villages  and  hamlets.  But  the  bold 
troopers  were  on  the  alert,  and,  led  by  Col.  Dundas,  sur- 
prised a  party  of  the  offenders  at  the  "  Red  Lion,"  and 
succeeded  in  capturing,  without  resistance,  one  of  the 
ringleaders,  named  Westall,  and  three  others,  who  were 
immediately  escorted  to  the  prisoners'  guard  formed  by 
the  Grenadiers  and  the  other  disengaged  portion  of  the 
force.  Encouraged  by  the  success  of  this  dashing  ex- 
ploit, the  cavalry  detachment  went  on  to  the  "  Blue  Ball," 
"  the  chief  dep6t  of  these  enemies  to  public  order,"  where 
they  made  several  other  captures  "after  a  little  resistance." 
They  then  proceeded  to  Inkpen,  ''  with  good  effect,"  and 
actively  continued  the  pursuit  through  West  Woodhay  to 
the  "  Axe  and  Compasses,"  East  Woodhay,  where  they 
succeeded  in  securing  the  chief  ringleader,  named  Martin, 
"  a  man  about  six  feet  high."  An  advance  was  then 
made  to  the  "Crown''  at  Highclere,  which  was  another 
rendesvouz  of  the  rioters,  "  where  some  scuffling  ensued," 
and  several  persons  were  apprehended.  The  whole  of  the 
prisoners  taken,  about  100,  were  removed  to  Newbury  in 
coaches,  carts,  and  other  conveyances  pressed  into  ser- 
vice, and  confined  in  the  Mansion  House  for  the  night ; 
and  the  following  day  70  were  committed  for  trial  at  the 


4o8  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

Assizes.  A  Special  Assize  was  held  at  Reading,  Jan.  i, 
1 83 1,  before  Sir  J.  A.  Park,  Mr.  Baron  Holland,  and  Mr. 
Justice  Patteson,  the  three  judges  named  in  the  Com- 
mission for  the  trial  of  the  prisoners  engaged  in  these 
riots  in  various  parts  of  Berkshire,  to  the  number  of  138. 
Of  these  only  25  could  read  and  write;  37  could  read 
only ;  and  the  remaining  'jS  were  destitute  of  all  educa- 
tion. For  the  most  part  they  were  married  men,  of 
previous  good  character,  with  families  depending  on  them 
for  support ;  and  many  of  the  wives  of  the  poor  fellows 
begged  as  an  act  of  mercy  that  they  might  be  transported 
with  their  husbands.  Three  were  sentenced  to  death, 
and  death  recorded  against  about  25  more.  Great  sym- 
pathy was  shewn  towards  the  unfortunate  men,  and  a 
petition  signed  by  950  persons  was  sent  from  Newbury 
for  a  commutation  of  the  sentences.  Only  one  man  was 
executed,  of  the  name  of  Winterbourn,  who  bore  his  fate 
with  great  fortitude,  although  he  knew  his  equally  guilty 
fellows  had  been  reprieved.  Many  were  transported  for 
long  periods,  and  others  sentenced  to  lesser  terms  of  im- 
prisonment. At  Winchester  6  were  sentenced  to  death, 
and  death  recorded  against  81  other  prisoners. 

An  account  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  High  Sheriff  of 
Berkshire  and  others  to  apprehend  the  persons  engaged 
in  these  riots  was  communicated  to  Lord  Melbourne,  then 
Home  Secretary,  who  officially  recognised  the  services 
rendered. 


The  Reform  Bill.    Agitation  at  Newbury,  1832. 

The  subject  of  Reform  in  Parliament  was  a  consider- 
able source  of  agitation  in  Newbury,  and  its  inhabitants 
were  greatly  excited  on  the  subject  till  its  settlement; 
the  measure  being  warmly  and  influential ly  supported  in 
the  town.  Upon  the  passing  of  the  Bill  in  the  House 
of  Commons  there  were  great  demonstrations,  with  illu- 
minations, and  other  signs  of  public  rejoicing,  which 
were  repeated  at  each  successful  stage  until  the  measure 
finally    became    law.     It    being    considered    a   favourable 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  409 

opportunity  of  obtaining  parliamentary  enfranchisement, 
a  petition  was  sent  from  Newbury,  Speenhamland,  and 
Greenham,  to  both  Houses  of  the  Legislature,  soliciting 
that  privilege,  but  the  inhabitants  were  somewhat  apa- 
thetic in  the  matter,  on  it  being  explained  to  them  that 
no  person  could  vote  both  for  the  county  and  borough 
upon  the  same  qualification. 

Steam  Carriages,  1832-35. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1832,  Messrs.  Ogle  and  Sum- 
ner's steam-coach  passed  through  Newbury,  on  its  way 
from  Southampton  to  Oxford.  It  travelled  over  the 
hilly  and  rough  roads  between  Winchester  and  Newbury 
at  an  average  speed  of  twelve  miles  an  hour,  and  ascend- 
ed the  steep  hills  at  various  parts  of  the  route  with  the 
greatest  ease,  and  not  at  much  less  speed.  In  1835 
a  steam-coach,  invented  by  Mr.  Hancock,  of  Marl- 
borough, named  "The  Erin,"  arrived  at  Newbury.  It 
performed  the  journey  between  London  and  Marlborough 
— 75  miles — in  S  hours  and  48  minutes. 

Erection  of  the  Newbury  Union 
Workhouse,  1835. 

The  foundation-stone  of  the  Newbury  Union  Work- 
house, in  the  Newtown  road,  was  laid  August,  1835.  The 
estimated  cost  of  the  building  was  ;£'5,ooo. 

Municipal  Corporations  Reform  Act,  1835. 

The  Municipal  Corporations  Reform  Act  of  the  session 
of  the  5th  and  6th  years  of  King  William  IV.  (chapter  "jG), 
"  to  provide  for  the  regulation  of  municipal  corporations  in 
England  and  Wales,"  was  passed  this  year  (1835),  ai''d  re- 
pealed, as  in  other  places,  all  acts,  charters,  and  customs 
inconsistent  with  the  new  measure.  By  this  Act,  which 
put  an  end  to  the  old  close  corporations,  all  exclusive 
privileges  of  trading  or  of  exercising  any  calling  or  handi- 
craft in  corporate  towns  was  abolished,  and  the  election 


410  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

of  the  council  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  whole  body  of 
the  newly-enfranchised  burgesses. 

The  first  election  of  councillors  under  the  new  Act,  for 
the  borough  of  Newbury,  took  place  on  December  26, 
1835,  when  the  undermentioned  twelve  burgesses  were 
elected.  Those  marked  thus  *  were  members  of  the  old 
Corporation : — 


Votes. 

William  Dredge, 

Votes. 

Jer^  Bunny, 

156 

90 

*  George  Gray, 

146 

John  Trumplet, 

79 

*  John  Alexander, 

134 

John  Kimber, 

74 

Edward  William  Gray, 

131 

■  *■  Edmund  Slocock, 

'72 

Manasseh  James, 

127 

*  John  Hasker, 

71 

George  Vincent, 

122 

*  John  Satchell, 

67 

The  Aldermen  elected  from  the  body  were  : — 

John  Alexander.  Edmund  Slocock. 

John  Satchell.  John  Hasker. 

Mr.  John  Alexander,  surgeon,  was  the  first  mayor 
elected,  he  being  the  last  mayor  under  the  old  Corpo- 
ration, and  thus  continuing  in  office. 

To  supply  the  places  of  those  councillors  elected  alder- 
men the  following  persons  were  elected  councillors : — 

John  Shaw.  James  Bodman. 

George  Payne.  John  Flint. 

On  the  following  March  8,  1836,  Broome  Pinniger  and 
George  Dibley,  solicitors,  were  appointed  assessors,  and 
J.  Church  and  George  Barnes,  auditors,  under  the  new 
Act. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  new  Council  on  June  21,  1836,  the 
Earl  of  Craven  was  appointed  High  Steward,  Henry 
Hemsted  was  elected  Coroner,  Robert  Baker,  Town 
Clerk,  and  Joseph  Vines,  Clerk  of  the  Peace. 

The  appointment  of  Recorder  was  first  offered  to  Mr. 
Sergeant  Talfourd,  but  declined.  Mr.  David  Jardine,  of 
the  Temple,  and  one  of  the  Municipal  Corporations 
Commissioners,  was  then  nominated,  and  by  letter  to  the 
Mayor  accepted  the  office,  provided  Her  Majesty  in  Coun- 


Newbury  in  the  Ninetccjith  Century.  411 

cil  should  be  pleased  to  confirm  the  nomination.  After 
some  considerable  discussion  in  the  Council,  Mr.  Whately, 
the  Recorder  under  the  old  Corporation,  was  appointed 
by  the  Earl  of  Craven,  High  Steward. 


The  Grammar  School,  1836. 

The  cause  concerning  the  management  of  St.  Bartho- 
lomew's Hospital  and  the  Grammar  School,  which  had 
been  placed  in  Chancery  in  1829,  wended  its  slow  course 
through  that  Court  until  the  year  1836. 

On  the  passing  of  the  Act  5  and  6  William  IV.,  c.  ;6, 
"  to  provide  for  the  Regulation  of  Municipal  Corporations 
in  England  and  Wales,"  provision  was  made,  in  the  71st 
section  of  the  Act,  that  members  of  Corporations,  who  had 
been  by  virtue  of  their  office  Trustees  of  Charities,  should 
no  longer  act  as  such  trustees,  but  should  cease  to  act  on 
the  first  day  of  August,  1836,  when  other  trustees  should 
be  appointed  in  their  room. 

The  Town  Council,  acting  upon  the  regulations  of  the 
above  recited  Act  of  Parliament,  gave  notice  that  an 
election  for  trustees  would  take  place  in  the  beginning  of 
August,  1836.  The  burgesses  therefore  elected  the  under- 
mentioned gentlemen,  in  the  order  in  which  their  names 
stand,  namely,  Edward  William  Gray,  Jere  Bunny,  John 
Alexander,  Manasseh  James,  George  Payne,  William 
Dredge,  John  Kimber,  John  Flint,  Thomas  Leonard,  John 
Brown,  Thomas  Simmons,  and  Richard  Avery.  To  their 
number  were  added  three  members  of  the  old  Corporation 
• — James  Bodman,  James  Hazell,  and  Mark  Willis,  and 
eventually  the  Reverend  Joseph  Birchall,  M.A.,  and 
Frederick  Brown,  M.D.,  were  placed  on  the  list  of  Trus- 
tees. The  total  body,  recommended  by  the  report  of 
Master  Brougham,  and  dated  December  21,  1836,  were 
seventeen  individuals.  This  report,  on  being  laid  before 
the  Lord  Chancellor,  Baron  Cottenham,  was  confirmed  by 
his  lordship  on  Thursday,  January  12,  in  the  7th  year  of 
the  reign  of  His  Majesty  King  William  IV.,  1837. 


412  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.. 

TfiE  Wesleyan  Chapel,  1837. 
The  corner  stone  of  the  present  chapel  in  Northbrook- 
street  was  laid  on  April  12,  1837,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beau- 
mont, and  opened  for  worship  on  November  16,  1838. 
On  the  Sunday  following  the  Rev.Jabez  Bunting  preached 
at  the  morning  and  evening  services. 

Proclamation  of  Queen  Victoria  at 
Newbury,  1837. 

Our  present  Queen  was  proclaimed  at  Newbury,  June 
26,  1837,  the  order  of  the  proceedings  being  very  similar 
to  those  on  other  like  occasions.  First  of  all  there  was 
a  breakfast  at  the  Mansion  House,  given  by  the  Mayor, 
Mr.  Jere  Bunny  ;  then  a  procession  was  formed,  which  first 
moved  to  the  Market-place,  where  Her  Majesty  was  pro- 
claimed amid  enthusiastic  cheers.  The  cortege  then  passed 
down  Northbrook-street  to  Speenhamland,  the  Mayor  and 
civic  authorities  meanwhile  halting  at  the  limit  of  the 
borough  boundary,  where  the  proclamation  was  again 
read,  under  a  flag  which  had  waved  over  the  deck  of  "  The 
Victory,"  when  Nelson  received  his  death-wound  at  Tra- 
falgar. The  procession  afterwards  proceeded  to  the  Lit- 
ten,  in  Bartholomew-street,  where  the  proclamation  was 
also  read,  and  then  returned  to  the  Market-place.  The 
Corporation  and  many  of  the  inhabitants  dined  together 
in  the  evening,  and  the  municipal  body  provided  two  bar- 
rels of  strong  ale  for  the  populace  to  drink  the  Queen's 
health. 

The  Queen's  Coronation,  1838. 

Addresses  of  congratulation  were  sent  to  the  Queen  by 
the  inhabitants  and  also  by  the  Corporation.  The  Coro- 
nation of  the  Queen,  on  June  28,  was  observed  in  New- 
bury with  the  rejoicings  customary  on  such  occasions. 
There  was  the  usual  procession  of  the  corporate  autho- 
rities, and  representatives  of  the  various  local  institutions  ; 
after  which  about  3,500  persons  dined  together  at  tables 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  413 

erected  in  the  public  streets.  Rustic  sports  followed,  and 
the  day  concluded  with  illuminations,  a  display  of  fire- 
works, and  other  loyal  manifestations.  A  row  of  poplar- 
trees  was  planted  in  the  Marsh  in  memory  of  the  occasion. 
The  day  was  also  chosen  for  the  ceremony  of  laying  the 
foundation-stone  of  Stockcross  Church. 

The  Duke  and  Duchess  of  Cambridge 
AT  Newbury,  1839. 

On  December  9,  1839,  Her  Royal  Highness  the  Duchess 
of  Cambridge,  accompanied  by  the  present  Duke  and 
his  sister,  the  Princess  Mary,  now  Duchess  of  Teck, 
partook  of  luncheon  at  the  "  Pelican  "  Inn,  Speenhamland. 
They  were  going  on  a  visit  to  the  Duke  of  Beaufort,  at 
Badminton. 

The  Queen's  Marriage,  February  10,  1840. 

The  marriage  of  the  Queen  with  the  Prince  Consort 
was  celebrated  in  Newbury  with  considerable  spirit,  and 
all  classes  combined  in  making  it  an  occasion  for  a  joyous 
meeting.  A  considerable  sum  was  collected  by  public 
subscription,  and  this  amount  was  dispensed  by  allowing 
\s.  a  head  to  elderly  persons,  8^.  a  head  to  other  adults, 
and  4(f.  a  head  to  each  child  in  a  family.  By  these  means 
upwards  of  3,200  persons  had  a  good,  substantial  dinner 
provided  at  their  own  houses.  The  town  was  also  "  bril- 
liantly illuminated,"  and  there  were  dinner  parties  at  the 
Mansion  House,  and  at  the  principal  inns  in  the  town. 

The  Grammar  School,  1841. 

From  the  day  of  their  appointment,  in  1836,  until  May 
19,  1841,  the  trustees  made  every  exertion  possible  to  get 
the  cause  of  this  Charity  out  of  the  Court  of  Chancery, 
and  on  the  day  first  named  it  appears  that  the  master's 
report,  with  the  scheme  for  the  management  of  the  Charity, 
was  made  to  the  Court,  and  confirmed  by  the  Master  of 
the  Rolls,  on  July  14,  1841. 


414  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

On  the  scheme  being  laid  before  the  Trustees  at  their 
meeting  on  Thursday,  October  21,  1841,  a  committee  was 
appointed  "  for  the  purpose  of  reporting  to  the  Trustees 
at  their  earliest  convenience  on  the  then  state  of  St.  Bar- 
tholomew's Charity." 

On  November  8  following,  the  Committee  appear  to 
have  made  a  report,  in  which  they  recommend  "that  the 
consideration  of  the  carrying  into  effect  of  that  portion 
of  the  scheme  which  refers  to  the  establishment  of  a 
school  be  suspended  until  the  costs  of  the  suit  and  the 
other  debts  of  this  Charity  are  liquidated." 


Funeral  of  Sir  Francis  and  Lady  Burdett,  1844. 

The  funeral  procession  of  Sir  Francis  Burdett,  Bart, 
and  Lady  Burdett,  who  died  shortly  before  her  husband, 
passed  through  Speenhamland  on  January  30,  1844,  en 
route  to  Ramsbury.  The  cortege  consisted  of  the  hearse, 
drawn  by  six  horses,  four  mourning-coaches,  and  a  car- 
riage which  had  belonged  to  the  deceased  baronet  drawn 
by  four  horses.  Sir  Francis  and  his  lady  were  buried  in 
the  family  vault  immediately  under  the  Communion-table 
in  Ramsbury  Church,  but  there  is  no  monument  inscribed 
to  the  memory  of  the  great  political  reformer,  who  for 
nearly  the  first  half  of  the  nineteenth  century  filled  such 
a  prominent  place  in  public  affairs. 

The  County  Court  established,  1847. 

Under  the  Charter  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  the  Corporation 
have  power  to  hold  a  Court  of  Record  for  the  recovery 
of  debts  not  exceeding  20  marks,  which  before  the  passing 
of  the  Municipal  Corporations  Act,  1835,  was  the  common 
court  of  the  town,  and  was  held  on  every  Tuesday,  weekly, 
throughout  the  year,  before  the  Mayor  or  one  of  the 
Aldermen. 

This  Court  of  Record  was  replaced  by  the  County' 
Court  instituted  in  1846  by  9  and  10  Vict.  c.  95.  The 
first  Court  under  this  Act  was  held  before  J.  B,  Parry, 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  41 5 

Esq.,  Q.C.,  the  judge  appointed  for  the  county  of  Berks, 
on  Thursday,  April  8,  1847. 

Opening  of  the  Berks  and  Hants  Extension 
Railway,  1847. 

The  Berks  and  Hants  Extension  Railway,  between 
Reading,  Newbury,  and  Hungerford,  was  opened  for 
traffic,  without  any  public  ceremony,  December  21,  1847. 
The  cost  of  the  line  from  Reading  to  Hungerford  was 
about  ^20,000  a  mile. 

The  New  Grammar  School,  1848. 

In  consequence  of  the  very  dilapidated  state  of  the 
house  property  belonging  to  St.  Bartholomew's  Charity, 
a  very  considerable  outlay  was  necessary  to  put  the 
different  properties  in  a  good  state  of  repair.  This  ex- 
penditure involved  the  Charity  in  debt,  and  matters  re- 
mained dormant  in  regard  to  the  school  until  May  11, 
1846,  when  at  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  then  held,  the 
following  resolution  was  adopted  : — 

"  That  Messrs.  Bunny,  Alexander,  Flint,  Willis,  and  Gray,  be 
a  Committee  to  examine  and  report  as  to  the  scheme  of  St.  Bar- 
tholomew's Charity,  with  a  view  to  the  establishment  of  the  Free 
School  from  the  funds  of  that  Charity." 

Having  met,  accordingly,  the  Committee  made  their 
report  on  June  15,  1846,  and  the  following  is  an  extract 
from  the  same  : — 

"Your  Committee,  assuming  the  statement  and  estimate  of 
receipts  and  expenditure  to  be  correct,  are  of  opinion  that  the 
funds  of  the  Charity  will  now  enable  the  trustees  to  carry  out 
the  scheme  for  the  establishment  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Free 
Grammar  School." 

In  furtherance  of  this  opinion,  the  Secretary  was 
directed  to  take  the  necessary  steps  by  the  following 
resolution  of  the  trustees  : — 

"  That  the  Secretary  be  instructed  to  take  the  necessary 
measures  to  work  out  the  scheme  granted  by  the  Court  of 


4i6  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

Chancery  for  the  future  conduct  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital 
and  Free  School." 

On  August  17,  1846,  the  Secretary  reported  that  he 
had  presented  a  petition  to  the  Master  of  the  Rolls  for 
the  payment  of  the  £\fi2^,  mentioned  in  the  fifth  regula- 
tion or  resolution  of  the  scheme.  And  on  December  21, 
1846,  the  Secretary  reports  further  that  the  Master  of 
the  Rolls  had,  upon  the  petition  of  the  Trustees,  made 
an  order  to  the  Master  that  he  should  report  to  the  Court 
whether  the  scheme  settled  on  May  19,  1841,  is  a  fit  and 
proper  scheme  to  be  now  carried  into  effect.  Mr.  Baker, 
the  secretary,  was  again  directed  to  take  the  necessary 
steps  to  carry  the  scheme  into  execution. 

On  January  17,  1848,  the  secretary,  Mr.  Baker,  reported 
that  the  order  for  payment  of  the  money  required  for  re- 
building the  school  had  been  made  and  passed,  and  would 
be  payable  forthwith. 

On  January  23,  the  secretary  was  ordered  to  procure 
a  Power  of  Attorney  for  the  receipt  of  the  ;^  1,02 5  ordered 
to  be  paid  by  the  Accountant  General  of  the  Court  of 
Chancery  to  the  Trustees  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Charity. 

On  February  7,  1848,  the  secretary,  under  the  orders  of 
the  trustees,  was  directed  to  advertise  for  tenders  to  re- 
build the  Litten  House  and  School,  and  at  the  same 
meeting  he  produced  a  Power  of  Attorney  for  the  sale 
of  stock  to  produce  ^1,025,  wherewith  to  rebuild  the 
houses  mentioned. 

The  first  stone  of  the  new  Grammar  School  buildings, 
on  the  site  of  the  ancient  Hospital  of  St.  Bartholomew, 
was  laid  by  Mr.  E.  W.  Gray,  Proctor  of  the  Charity,  June 
14,  1848. 

On  May  23,  1849,  Henry  Newport,  Esq.,  M.A.,  of  Pem- 
broke College,  Cambridge,  was  elected  Master  of  the 
school;  and  on  the  following  July  9  the  trustees  met 
and  elected  twenty  boys  on  the  free  foundation  of  St. 
Bartholomew's  School.  The  nomination  of  the  forty 
boys,  other  than  those  elected  on  the  free  foundation, 
took  place  on  July  23,  1849. 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  417 

Consecration  of  the  Newbury  Cemetery,  1850. 

The  Newbury  Cemetery  Company  was  incorporated  by 
Act  of  Parliament  in  1847,  and  the  church  portion  of  the 
ground  was  consecrated  by  Samuel  Wilberforce,  Bishop 
of  Oxford,  on  Easter  Tuesday,  April  2,  1850. 

The  Grammar  School,  1852. 

Mr.  Newport  resigned  the  Mastership  of  the  Grammar 
School  in  1852,  when  the  Rev.  William  Cole,  M.A.,  was 
appointed  to  succeed  him  on  September  15  of  that  year. 

Coming  of  age  of  Lord  Carnarvon,  1853. 

On  October  4,  1853,  a  public  banquet  was  given  at 
Newbury  to  celebrate  the  coming  of  age  of  the  present 
Earl  of  Carnarvon,  presided  over  by  the  Mayor,  Mr. 
J.  F.  Hickman,  and  attended  by  many  of  the  principal 
residents  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood. 

Celebration  of  Peace,  1856. 

The  conclusion  of  the  peace  with  Russia  after  the  Crimean 
War  was  celebrated  in  Newbury  on  a  very  extensive  scale. 
There  was  a  procession  of  the  civic  and  other  authorities, 
together  with  the  various  local  societies ;  many  thousands 
of  persons  were  feasted  at  the  pubhc  expense,  at  tables 
erected  in  the  chief  streets  of  the  town;  amusements  of  all 
kinds  were  provided  ;  in  the  evening  the  town  was  illumi- 
nated, and  the  rejoicings  were  brought  to  a  close  by  a 
pyrotechnic  display  in  the  Marsh. 

The  Municipal  Charities,  1857. 

In  1857  the  Trustees  of  the  Municipal  Charities,  in- 
cluding St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital  and  the  Grammar 
School  Foundation,  had  become  so  much  reduced  as  to 
require  fresh  appointments  to  be  made.  For  this  purpose 
voting-papers  were  issued  to  the  burgesses  asking  them 
to  vote  for  a  certain  number  of  persons  they  considered 

E  e 


41 8  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

suitable.  The  voting-papers  having  been  collected  and 
examined  by  the  trustees,  sixteen  names  were  submitted 
to  the  Charity  Commissioners,  ten  of  the  persons  so 
nominated  being  Nonconformists.  Upon  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Randall  as  Rector  of  Newbury  in 
1857,  application  was  made  to  the  Court  of  Chancery  for 
leave  to  strike  out  the  names  of  the  ten  Nonconformists, 
and  to  substitute  ten  Churchmen  in  their  places.  The 
case  came  on  before  the  late  Lord  Hatherley  (then  Vice- 
Chancellor  Page  Wood),  who  decided  that  the  Charities 
in  question  were  not  confined  exclusively  to  any  one  de- 
nomination, either  as  regards  their  administration,  or  the 
recipients,  and  confirmed  the  list  as  sent  up  by  the  old 
trustees. 


Erection  of  new  National  Schools,  1859. 

In  the  year  1859  "^^  National  Schools  in  connection 
with  St.  Nicholas'  Church  (first  instituted  in  18 11)  were 
erected,  by  voluntary  contributions,  near  the  Rectory  in 
the  Enborne-road,  providing  accommodation  for  250  boys 
and  250  girls.  These  schools  have  always  been  conducted 
in  strict  conformity  with  the  principles  of  the  Established 
Church. 

The  Baptist  Chapel  erected,  1859. 

In  1859  a  new  Baptist  Chapel  was  erected  in  North- 
brook-street,  during  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Drew,  which  extended  over  a  period  of  nineteen  years. 
The  total  cost,  including  site,  was  ;£'3,ooo.  The  congrega- 
tion previously  assembled  in  a  chapel  in  Northcroft-lane, 
which  was  erected  in  1702. 


Opening  of  the  Corn  Exchange,  1862. 

The  new  Corn  Exchange,  situate  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Market-place,  which  cost  about  ;£'6,ooo,  was  opened  for 
business  June  4,  1862. 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  419 

Celebration  of  the  Marriage  of  the  Prince 
AND  Princess  of  Wales,  1863. 

The  wedding-day  of  the  Prince  of  Wales  and  the  Prin- 
cess Alexandra  on  March  10,  1863,  was  celebrated  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Newbury  in  a  very  loy^l  and  hearty  manner. 
A  dinner  for  3,000  persons  was  provided  by  public  subscrip- 
tion, the  chief  thoroughfares  were  gaily  decorated,  trium- 
phal arches  were  erected,  and  the  town  everywhere  pre- 
sented a  very  festive  appearance.  A  procession  was  formed, 
which  perambulated  the  chief  streets  of  the  borough,  the 
school  children  sang  the  National  Anthem  in  the  Market- 
place, there  were  races,  rural  sports,  and  amusements  in 
the  Marsh,  and  the  day's  rejoicings  concluded  with  a 
Promenade  Concert  in  the  Corn  Exchange.  About  400 
persons  dined  in  the  old  Theatre,  Speenhamland ;  the 
poor  in  the  Newbury  Union  were  bountifully  supplied 
with  a  good  old  English  dinner,  and  the  inmates  of  the 
almshouses  and  the  invalids  were  also  considerately  pro- 
vided for.  Mr.  J.  W.  Randall  was  Mayor  of  the  borough 
at  the  time,  and  assisted  materially  in  rendering  the 
arrangements  of  the  day  satisfactory  and  eminently  suc- 
cessful. 


The  Roman  Catholic  Chapel  (St.  Joseph's) 
erected,  1864. 

The  Roman  Catholic  Chapel  at  Speenhamland  was 
erected  in  1864,  and  opened  for  worship  on  St.  Anselm's 
Day,  April  21,  the  same  year.  There  had  previously 
been  a  mission  established  here,  and  schools  in  connection 
with  the  Training  College  at  Woolhampton. 


The  Grammar  School,  1867. 

The  Rev.  W.  Cole,  M.A.,  Master  of  the  Grammar 
School,  having  resigned,  the  Rev.  Alfred  Steane,  B.A.,  was 
appointed  his  successor,  August  31,  1867. 

E  e  2 


420  Newbury  hi  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

Newbury  District  Field  Club,  1870. 

The  Newbury  District  Field  Club,  a  Society  for  the 
cultivation  of  Natural  History  and  Antiquarian  research, 
was  instituted  at  Newbury  in  January,  1870,  when  the 
Rev.  J.  Leslie  Randall,  M.A.,  was  elected  the  first  Presi- 
dent, and  Dr.  Palmer,  F.S.A.,  Hon.  Secretary. 


The  Autumn  Manoeuvres,  1872. 

In  the  autumn  of  1872  a  series  of  military  movements 
were  ordered  to  be  practised  upon  a  large  scale,  and  for 
this  purpose  a  considerable  body  of  troops  was  concen- 
trated at  Aldershot,  and  divided  into  two  forces,  termed, 
for  the  purposes  of  distinction,  the  Northern,  or  Defend- 
ing Army,  and  the  Southern,  or  Attacking  Army. 

On  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  August  28  and  29,  "  The 
Northern  Army"  was  encamped  on  Greenham  Common, 
near  Newbury.  A  vast  number  of  persons  visited  the 
camp,  and  Newbury  held  high  festival  on  the  occasion, 
and  the  whole  neighbourhood  was  proportionately  ex- 
cited. The  bands  of  the  different  regiments  were  conjoined 
and  played  in  the  camp,  which  aroused  the  greatest  enthu- 
siasm. But  the  war  fever  was  at  its  height  on  the  morn- 
ing of  Friday  the  30th,  when  General  Staveley's  division 
marched  through  the  town,  the  other  divisions  having 
taken  a  route  to  the  southward,  through  Kintbury.  First 
came  the  Cavalry  Brigade,  the  Life  Guards,  and  Royal 
Horse  Guards  Blue  leading  the  way  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Marshall.  As  this  magnificent  body  of  heavy 
troopers,  followed  by  the  rest  of  the  Cavalry  Brigade,  and 
the  various  regiments  of  infantry  marched  through  the 
old  streets  with  their  colours  inscribed  with  names 
memorable  in  our  English  history,  they  were  received 
with  the  enthusiastic  acclamations  of  the  inhabitants.  On 
many  a  breast  were  the  medals  which  commemorated 
engagements  in  which  both  officers  and  men  had  distin- 
guished themselves  in  various  campaigns,  and  the  people 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  421 

of  Newbury  were  eager  to  shew  them  by  their  cheers  that 
they  deserved  well  of  their  country. 

The  third  division  encamped  the  same  evening  on  Hun- 
gerford  Downs,  and  the  fourth  division  went  on  to  Great 
Bedwyn. 

After  a  succession  of  military  operations  had  been 
carried  out,  the  two  armies  were  reviewed  at  Beacon  Hill, 
near  Amesbury,  and  a  considerable  number  of  troops 
subsequently  passed  through  Newbury  en  route  for  Alder- 
shot  and  other  stations. 

Opening  of  the  New  Cattle  Market,  Newbury, 
IN  1873. 

On  December  18,  1873,  the  new  Cattle  Market,  erected 
by  the  Corporation,  was  opened  for  business  by  the  Earl 
of  Carnarvon,  in  the  mayoralty  of  Mr.  J.  F.  Hickman. 

The  Grammar  School,  1876. 

The  Rev.  Alfred  Steane,  B.A.,  Master  of  the  School, 
having  resigned,  the  Rev.  J.  Atkins,  LL.B.,  the  present 
Master,  was  appointed,  September  i,  1876. 

The  Primitive  Methodist  Chapel  erected,  1877. 

The  Primitive  Methodist  Chapel,  Schools,  and  Minister's 
house  in  Bartholomew-street  were  erected  in  1877,  ^-t  a 
cost  of  about  ;^  5,000. 

Extension  of  the  Borough  Boundaries,  1878. 

By  an  Act  (41  and  42  Vict.  ch.  184),  1878,  for  extend- 
ing the  boundaries  of  the  borough,  and  to  empower  the 
Corporation  to  acquire  the  gas  undertaking,  called  the 
"  Newbury  Borough  Extension  Act,"  the  municipal  area 
was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  certain  portions  of  the 
parishes  of  Speen  (including  Speenhamland,  and  Wood- 
Speen,  and  Church-Speen)  and  Greenham ;  the  extended 
borough  being  divided  into  two  wards,  called  respectively 
the  "  North  Ward  "  and  the  "  South  Ward  :"   the  "  North 


422  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

Ward  "  consisting  of  so  much  of  the  borough  as  lies  north 
of  the  Kennet  and  Avon  Canal,  and  the  "  South  Ward " 
so  much  of  the  borough  as  lies  south  of  the  Kennet  and 
Avon  Canal. 

By  the  same  Act  the  municipal  body  is  to  consist  of 
six  aldermen  and  eighteen  councillors  ;  that  is  to  say,  the 
North  Ward  and  South  Ward  shall  each  have  three  alder- 
men and  nine  councillors. 

The  new  Municipal  Buildings,  1878. 

On  May  7,  1878,  the  new  Municipal  Buildings  in  the 
Market-place,  designed  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Money,  were  de- 
clared open  by  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon  ;  the  foundation- 
stone  of  which  was  laid  on  August  30, 1876,  by  Mr.  William 
George  Adey,  who  then  held  the  office  of  Mayor. 

The  Falkland  Memorial,  1878. 

For  many  years  the  streets  of  Newbury  had  not  pre- 
sented such  an  imposing  and  truly  representative  proces- 
sion as   that  which  accompanied  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon 
on  the  occasion  of  the  unveiling  of  the  memorial  to  Lord 
Falkland  on  Monday,  September  9,  1878.     The  proposal 
to  erect  a  monument  on  the  battle-field  of  Newbury  was 
suggested  by  the  author  of  this  work,  who  gave  the  site 
for  the  memorial.     The  monument  is  erected  at  a  point 
on  Wash  Common,  close  to  the  main  road  leading  from 
the  town  into   Hampshire.     To  the  west  runs  the  road 
to  Enborne,  on  the  north  side  of  which  stands  the  farm- 
house to  which  Lord  Falkland's  lifeless  body  was  removed 
as  soon  as  it  had  been   identified  among  the  slain  who 
strewed  the  ground  close  by.     Lower  down  the  road  is 
a   cottage,    the   cellar  of  which  was  at  the  time  of  the 
battle  used  as  a  powder  magazine  for  the  King's  troops. 
Within  the  enclosure  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road, 
and  near  the  memorial  itself,  can  be  traced  the  lines  oc- 
cupied by  the   artillery   of  the   Royalist  army ;    and  the 
mounds  of  earth  in  the   background   speak  of  the   slain 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  423 

who  were  rudely  buried  in  company  beneath  them.  There 
are  many  remaining  evidences  of  the  conflict  between 
Charles  the  First  and  the  Parliamentary  forces,  which 
are  described  in  the  "  History  of  the  two  Battles  of  New- 
bury." The  memorial  consists  entirely  of  Cornish  granite, 
the  base  being  formed  of  a  series  of  rock-faced  steps,  from 
the  Lamorna  quarries  ;  upon  these  rests  a  block  of  Penryn 
stone,  weighing  twelve  tons,  on  which  the  four  inscriptions 
are  cut  in  lead  characters.  The  superstructure  comprises 
an  octagonal  plinth,  with  gablets  on  four  sides,  having 
sunk  panels  filled  in  with  a  cross  on  the  front  face,  and 
coronets  and  ciphers  of  Lords  Carnarvon,  Sunderland,  and 
Falkland  carved  on  the  other  panels.  The  octagonal 
shaft  which  surmounts  this  is  a  monolith,  17  feet  in 
height,  the  total  height  of  the  memorial  being  about  33 
feet.  About  forty  tons  of  granite  were  used  in  the  work, 
which  was  executed  by  Messrs.  W.  and  J.  R.  Freeman,  of 
Westminster  and  Penryn.  The  design  was  furnished  by 
Mr.  J.  H.  Money,  architect,  of  Newbury.  The  inscrip- 
tions on  the  base  are  as  under  : — 

East  Side. 

"  KOINH    TAP    TA    2QMATA 

AIA0NTE2,    lAIA    TON    APHPON 

EHAINON    EAAMBANON,    KAI    TON 

TA*0N    EniSHMGTATON-     OYK 

EN     Q     KEINTAI,     MAAAON     AAAA     EN 

a    H    AOSA    AYTflN    AEIMNHST02 

KATAAEinETAI.      ANAPQN 

TAP     Eni*ANaN      nA2A     TH 

TA*02." 

THUCY.    II.   43. 

[translation.] 

For  while  collectively  they  gave  her  [their  country]  their  lives, 
individually  they  received  that  renown  which  never  grows  old 
and  the  most  distinguished  tomb  they  could  have :  not  so  much 
that  in  which  they  are  laid,  as  that  in  which  their  glory  is  left 
behind  them  to  be  everlastingly  recorded.  .  .  .  For  of  illustrious 
men  the  whole  earth  is  the  sepulchre. 


424  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

West  Side. 

"  IVSTVM    BELLVM   QVIBVS 

NECESSARIVM      ET      PIA     ARMA 

QVIBVS    NVLLA   NISI    IN 

ARMIS    RELINQVITVR    SPES." 

LIV.    IX.    I. 

[translation.] 
A  war  is  righteous  when  it  is  necessary,  and  sacred  are  the 
arms  of  warriors  who  have  no  hope  left  but  in  arms. 

North  Side. 

"  IN    MEMORY   OF   THOSE 

WHO,    ON  THE    20TH    SEPTEMBER,    1643, 

FELL    FIGHTING   IN   THE   ARMY   OF   KING   CHARLES    I., 

ON   THE   FIELD   OF    NEWBURY,  AND    ESPECIALLY   OF 

LUCIUS  GARY,  VISCOUNT  FALKLAND, 

WHO    DIED    HERE    IN    THE    34TH    YEAR    OF    HIS    AGE, 

THIS    MONUMENT   IS    SET   UP   BY   THOSE  TO  WHOM 

THE   MAJESTY   OF   THE   CROWN   AND 

THE    LIBERTIES    OF    THEIR    COUNTRY    ARE    DEAR." 

South  Side. 

"  THE   BLOOD   OF   MAN    IS   WELL   SHED 

FOR  OUR   FAMILY, 

FOR  OUR  FRIENDS,  FOR  OUR  GOD, 

FOR   OUR   COUNTRY,    FOR   OUR   KIND  ; 

THE   REST   IS   VANITY, 

THE   REST   IS   CRIME." — Burke. 

A  procession'  (headed  by  the  band  of  the  Berkshire 
Regiment)  of  the  Volunteers,  Yeomanry,  Municipal  Au- 
thorities, Freemasons,  Friendly  Societies,  and  representa- 
tives of  various  public  bodies,  proceeded  from  the  town 
to  the  Memorial  on  the  battle-field,  v^^hen  Lord  Carnarvon 
unveiled  the  monument,  and  accepted  the  Deed  conveying 
the  site  to  himself  and  Mr.  William  George  Mount,  as 
trustees  on  behalf  of  the  committee.  At  the  conclusion 
of  the  proceedings  there  w^as  a  luncheon  at  the  Corn  Ex- 
change, which  was  attended  by  about  700  persons. 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  425 

DiDCOT  AND  Newbury  Railway — First  Sod 
TURNED,  1879. 

To  signalise  this  important  event  in  the  annals  of  New- 
bury a  most  unwonted  festive  display  was  witnessed  on 
Tuesday,  August  26,  1879- 

A  vast  number  of  people  assembled,  and  there  was  a 
procession  of  Municipal  Authorities,  Volunteers,  Friendly 
Societies,  Schools,  &c.  The  Countess  of  Carnarvon  per- 
formed the  ceremony.  The  spade  and  the  accompanying 
barrow  were  of  polished  oak,  mounted  in  silver,  and  bore 
the  following  inscription : — 

"  Presented  by 

the  Inhabitants  of  Newbury,  to 

Elisabeth  Catherine,  Countess  of  Carnarvon, 

on  the  occasion  of 

Turning  the  First  Sod  of  the  Didcot,  Newbury, 

and  Southampton  Junction  Railway, 

August  26th,  1879." 

There  was  subsequently  a  luncheon  in  the  Corn  Ex- 
change ;  the  streets  were  gaily  decorated,  triumphal  arches 
were  erected,  and  the  town  presented  a  joyous  appearance 
rarely,  if  ever,  equalled  in  its  annals. 


St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital  and  Grammar  School 
Foundation,  1880. 

Owing  to  a  considerable  diminution,  from  death  and 
other  causes,  in  the  number  of  trustees  appointed  in 
1857,  the  following  gentlemen  were  approved  of  as  new 
trustees  by  the  Charity  Commissioners  for  England  and 
Wales,  and  received  their  appointment  by  order  of  the 
Board,  dated  May  14,  1880:— 

The  Rector  of  Newbury,  the  Rev.  E.  I.  Gardiner ; 
William  Burgess,  Draper ; 
Walter  James  Blacket,  Bookseller ; 
William  Bundock,  Draper; 
William  Hall,  Bookseller ; 


426  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century. 

Edward  Wells,  Wine  Merchant  ; 
William  Thomas  Parker  Douglas,  M.B. ; 
Walter  Money,  Gentleman  \ 
John  Bance,  Woolstapler ; 
Frederick  ElHot  Ryott,  M.D. ; 
Frederick  John  Coldicutt,  Purveyor ; 
Charles  Jackson,  Ironmonger ; 

Richard  Hickman,  Surgeon,  all  of  the  above-mentioned  Bo- 
rough of  Newbury ; 

(who  had  respectively  signified  in  writing  to  the  said 
Commissioners  their  willingness  to  accept  and  act  in  the 
trust)  and  were  appointed  in  addition  to,  and  jointly  with, 

John  Hawe  Mason,  Jonathan  Burford  Pratt, 

James  Henry  Lucas,  Thomas  Fidler, 

Cornelius  Weaver  Doe,  Francis  Flower  Somerset,  and 

Frederick  Smith  Adnams,  Henry  Keens, 

the  continuing  trustees  thereof. 

This  Charity  is  now  administered  in  accordance  with 
a  scheme  for  the  management  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Gram- 
mar School,  which  received  the  Royal  Assent  February 
14,  1883,  whereby  the  endowments  of  the  above-named 
Hospital,  Kendrick's  School  Charity,  and  Kendrick's  Loan 
Charity  were  constituted  one  foundation,  and  to  be  ad- 
ministered under  the  name  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital 
and  Grammar  School  Foundation. 

The  part  of  the  endowment  applicable  for  purposes  not 
educational  was  continued  to  be  administered  by  the 
Trustees  of  the  Municipal  Charities  of  Newbury.  This 
refers  to  the  land  and  buildings  appropriated  for  the 
purposes  of  the  Almshouses  with  the  Ancient  Room  or 
Chapel  of  the  Hospital,  the  allowances  to  the  almspeople, 
a  yearly  payment  of  £26  for  a  clergyman  to  read  prayers 
to  the  almspeople  twice  a  week  in  the  Chapel,  and  a 
yearly  payment  of  £'^Q  for  the  repairs,  rates,  taxes,  and 
insurance  of  the  Almshouses  and  the  said  Ancient  Room 
or  Chapel.  Subject  as  aforesaid,  the  endowment  to  be 
wholly  applied  for  the  educational  purposes  of  the  scheme. 

By  this  scheme  the  foundation  is  to  be  administered 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  427 

by  a  Governing  Body,  consisting  of  sixteen  competent 
persons  duly  qualified  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the 
office,  ten  to  be  called  Representative  Governors,  and 
six  to  be  called  Co-optative  Governors. 

The  Representative  Governors  to  be  appointed  by  the 
several  electing  bodies  respectively  in  the  following  pro- 
portions, namely, — 

Two  by  the  Town  Council  of  Newbury. 

Six  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Municipal  Charities  of  Newbury ;  and 
Two  by  Her  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of 
Berks  in  Quarter  Sessions. 

Every  Representative  Governor  appointed  by  the  said 
Justices  to  be  appointed  for  the  term  of  six  years,  and 
every  other  Representative  Governor  for  the  term  of  five 
years,  reckoned  respectively  from  the  date  of  the  appoint- 
ment. The  Co-optative  Governors  hold  office  for  eight 
years  from  the  date  of  approval. 

The  existing  Co-optative  Governors  are  the  Earl  of 
Carnarvon,  the  Rector  of  Newbury,  John  Hawe  Mason, 
William  Thomas  Parker  Douglas,  John  Bance,  and  Fred- 
erick John  Coldicutt.  The  Representative  Governors : — 
George  Charles  Cherry,  Charles  Samuel  Slocock,  Walter 
James  Blacket,  Walter  Money,  Frederick  Elliott  Ryott, 
F.  F.  Somerset,  Edward  Wells,  Thomas  Fidler,  Joseph 
Frederick  Hickman,  and  William  George  Adey. 

The  approximate  income  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Charity 
is  £(j2^  per  annum,  of  which  ;£'700  a  year  is  derived  from 
Real  Property,  and  .^225  from  dividends  on  Stock. 


Clock  Tower  of  the  new  Municipal  Buildings, 

1881. 

The  principal  tower  of  the  new  buildings  was,  in  1881, 
raised  to  the  original  height  designed  by  the  architect, 
for  the  reception  of  a  new  town  clock,  the  cost  of  which, 
;^348  lOJ.,  was  obtained  by  public  subscription  through 
the  exertions  of  Mr.  J.  B.  Stone,  the  then  mayor.  To- 
wards the  extra  cost  involved  in  increasing  the  height 


428  Ncwbtiry  in  the  NineteentJi  Century. 

of  the  tower  the  Corporation   voted  ;^200,  and   another 
;£'200  was  raised  by  a  Committee. 

Opening  of  the  Didcot  and  Newbury  Railway, 

1882. 

The  formal  opening  of  the  Section  of  the  Didcot,  New- 
bury, and  Southampton  Railway,  which  runs  between 
Newbury  and  Didcot,  took  place  on  Wednesday,  April  12, 
1882. 

The  town  was  again  en  fete,  as  on  the  occasion  of  the 
turning  of  the  first  sod.  An  imposing  procession  was 
formed  ;  the  railway  was  declared  open  by  Lady  Loyd- 
Lindsay  ;  and  a  public  dinner  afterwards  took  place  at 
the  Corn  Exchange. 

The  following  July,  the  Didcot,  Newbury,  and  Southamp- 
ton Junction  Railway  Bill  for  the  construction  of  an  inde- 
pendent line  of  railway  to  Southampton  in  connection  with 
the  section  already  opened,  and  also  giving  an  alternative 
route  to  London  via  Aldermaston,  passed  successfully 
through  Parliament.  The  news  of  the  satisfactory  result 
of  this  unqualified  railway  victory,  after  a  prolonged  strug- 
gle with  the  South  Western  Railway  Company,  in  both 
Houses  of  the  Legislature,  was  received  with  the  greatest 
satisfaction  in  Newbury. 

Recovery  of  the  Borough  Charters,  1883. 

For  about  fifty  years  the  Charters  belonging  to  the 
Corporation  were  in  private  hands,  having  been  im- 
pounded, with  other  Corporation  property,  as  security 
for  costs  incurred  by  a  former  Town  Clerk  in  respect  of 
certain  legal  proceedings  in  which  the  Corporation  were 
concerned.  They  were  returned  to  the  Municipal  body 
by  Mr.  Stephen  Hemsted,  jun.,  through  the  agency  of  the 
writer,  in  February,  1883. 

The  Parish  Room  erected,  1884. 
The   foundation-stone  of  the  Newbury  Parish  Room, 
West  Mills,  in  connection  with  St.  Nicholas'  Church,  was 


Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Century.  429 

laid  by  Mrs.  Gardiner,  wife  of  the  Rector,  July  9,  1884, 
and  the  building  was  completed  the  following  year. 


Opening  of  the  Didcot,  Newbury,  and  South- 
ampton Railway  to  Winchester,  1885. 

The  opening  ceremony  of  the  second  section  of  this 
newly-constructed  line,  extending  from  Newbury  south- 
wards to  Winchester,  was  celebrated  by  a  considerable 
demonstration  at  Newbury  on  May  i,  1885.  The  Muni- 
cipal authorities  of  Southampton  and  Winchester,  accom- 
panied by  Lord  Baring  and  other  directors,  travelled  over 
the  new  line  to  Newbury,  where  they  were  received  by  the 
Mayor  in  the  Council  Chamber.  The  united  party  then 
returned  to  Winchester,  and  were  entertained  at  the  Town 
Hall  by  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of  that  city. 

Opening  of  the  New  Grammar  School  in  the 
Enborne-road,  1885. 

The  new  Grammar  School  buildings  in  the  Enborne- 
road  were  formally  opened  by  Mr.  John  Hawe  Mason, 
J. P.,  Proctor  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Charity,  on  July  28, 
1885,  in  the  presence  of  the  Governors  and  a  large  com- 
pany.    The  architect  was  Mr,  Power  of  London. 

The  Newbury  District  Hospital  opened,  1885. 

The  Newbury  District  Hospital  in  the  Enborne-road 
was  opened  for  the  reception  of  patients  November  18, 
1885.  The  sum  of  ;£'5,6oo  was  raised  by  voluntary  sub- 
scriptions, of  which  amount  Major  Thurlow,  of  Shaw 
House,  contributed  £1,000.  The  total  cost  of  the  build- 
ing exclusive  of  fittings,  &c.,  was  ;^2,ooo  ;  and  the  sum  of 
;£^2,500  was  placed  to  the  endowment  fund. 

The  National  Jubilee,  1887. 

Our  annals  very  appropriately  terminate  with  the  record 
of  a  meeting  of  the  St.  Nicholas'  Stained  Glass  Window 


430  Newbury  in  the  Nineteenth  Centnry. 

Society,  October  19,  1886,  when  the  following  resolution 
was  unanimously  passed  : — 

"  That  this  meeting  heartily  approves  of  the  suggestion  that 
the  next  window  to  be  inserted  in  the  church  shall  be  com- 
memorative of  the  great  event  of  the  year  1887,  namely  the 
Jubilee  of  Her  Most  Gracious  Majesty  the  Queen." 

At  a  public  meeting  subsequently  held  at  the  Town 
Hall,  under  the  presidency  of  the  Mayor,  it  was  unan- 
imously resolved  to  open  lists  for  subscriptions  to  the 
Imperial  Colonial  Institute  ;  to  give  a  dinner  to  the  poor  ; 
to  entertain  the  children  belonging  to  the  different  schools 
in  the  town  ;  and  to  endeavour  to  raise  sufficient  funds 
for  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  a  free  public 
library,  reading-room,  and  museum,  commemorative  of 
the  Jubilee  Year  of  Her  Majesty. 


PART  II. 

She  Ecclesiastical  Ibietor?  of  IRewbur?. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Zbc  HJ»vowson  of  tbe  iRectorg. 

The  Church  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas. — The  dispute  respecting  the  Church 
at  Newbury  between  the  Parson  of  the  Church  and  the  Abbot  of  Preaux, 
t.  I220. — The  question  as  to  the  extent  of  the  parish  of  Thatcham. — 
The  Taxation  of  Pope  Nicholas,  c.  1290. — The  Inquisition  of  the  Ninths, 
1 341. — Transfer  of  the  advowson  from  the  Abbey  of  Preaux  to  Sir  Lewis 
Clifford  in  1394. — Afterwards  to  Sir  Thomas  Erpingham,  to  Witham, 
and  to  Sir  John  Brydges. — The  assessment  of  Newbury  in  the  Valor 
Ecclesiasticus  of  1534. — The  later  history  of  the  advowson. 

The  Church  of  St.  Nicholas,  Newbury. 

THE  parish  church  is  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas,  Bishop 
of  Myra,  in  the  fourth  century,  in  the  reign  of  Con- 
stantine  the  Great.  It  is  well  known  that  St.  Nicholas 
was  a  saint  held  in  special  reverence  by  the  Normans,  and 
the  dedication  of  the  church  to  him  would,  to  a  certain 
extent,  be  a  proof  that  it  was  founded  or  re-dedicated  after 
the  Norman  Conquest.  And  we  have  good  reason  to 
suppose  that  this  was  the  original  dedication,  as  it  is  so 
named  in  a  charter  dated  as  early  as  1187,  or  there- 
abouts *. 

It  will  have  been  seen  from  the  description  of  the 
manor  of  Ulvritone  that  no  church  is  mentioned  as  exist- 
ing within  the  manor  when  the  Domesday  Survey  was 
made.  But  there  can  be  little,  if  any,  doubt  that  the 
church  erected  here  owes  its  origin  to  Ernulf  de  Hesding, 
who  gave  the  church  of  Newbury  to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux 
about  the  year  1086''. 

As  to  the  size  or  extent,  much  less  as  to  the  style  and 
character,  of  the  primitive  church,  or  indeed  what  alter- 
ations or  enlargements  it  had  undergone  down  to  the 
fifteenth   century  there  is  no    evidence  to  shew,  as  the 

'  See  ante,  chap.  iii.  Part  I.  p.  35.    It  is  true  the  charter  is  only  preserved 
by  Inspeximus,  but  there  can  be  no  reason  to  suppose  any  interpolation. 
■>  See  chap.  iii.  Part  I.  p.  31. 

F  f 


434  The  A  dvowson  of  the  Rectory. 

builders  of  the  later  structure  did  not  leave,  so  far  as  has 
been  observed,  a  single  scrap  of  the  masonry  of  the  old 
church  remaining  which  would  indicate  its  original  form 
and  proportions. 

It  is  most  probable  that  the  existing  church  occupies 
much  the  same  site  as  the  former  one,  but  covers  a  much 
larger  area,  so  that  should  any  of  the  foundations  of  the 
old  church  exist,  they  would  be  found  beneath  the  pave- 
ment, and  so  within  the  walls  of  the  newer  one. 

It  will  have  been  seen  that  one  or  two  successive  char- 
ters refer  to  the  church  of  Newbury  in  connection  with  the 
gift  to  the  Abbey  of  Preaux,  but  the  next  reference  is  one 
early  in  the  thirteenth  century,  when  a  dispute  had  arisen 
respecting  a  claim  set  up  by  the  great  and  wealthy 
abbey  not  far  distant.  The  Abbot  and  Convent  of  Read- 
ing claiming  that  Newbury  forming  part  of  the  parish  of 
Thatcham  they,  as  owners  of  the  latter  advowson,  which 
was  bestowed  on  them  by  the  foundation  charter  of  Henry 
I.,  were  entitled  to  compensation  for  its  appropriation  by 
the  Abbot  and  Convent  of  Preaux. 

The  trial  on  the  question  of  the  rights  of  the  two  mo- 
nastic houses  as  regards  Newbury  Church  was,  as  will  be 
seen  by  the  following  Composition,  committed  to  the 
Abbot  and  Prior  of  Waverley,  and  the  Prior  of  Monk's 
Sherborne,  judges  delegated  by  the  Pope  : — 

Composition  about  the  Church  of  Newbury  =. 

"  To  all  sons  of  Holy  Mother  Church  who  may  see  the  present 
writing,  Symon,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  abbot  of  Reading,  and 
the  convent  of  the  same,  greeting.  Know  all  of  you  that 
a  dispute  moved  between  us  on  one  part,  and  the  abbot  and 
convent  of  Pre'aux,  and  Gervase  of  Newbury,  clerk,  on  the  other, 
concerning  the  church  of  Newbury,  was  committed  to  the  abbot 
and  prior  of  Waverley  and  the  prior  of  Sherborne,  judges  dele- 
gated by  the  Pope,  and  was  setded  by  the  authority  of  the 
same  judges,  by  consent  of  the  parties  and  counsel  of  lawyers,  in 
this  form  of  peace,  namely,  that  whereas  the  abbot  and  convent 
of  Prdaux,  called  to  judgment  by  letter  of  the  Pope,  appeared 

'  Cottonian  MSS.  Vesp.  E.  v.  f.  21,  Brit.  Miis. 


The  Advowson  of  the  Rectory.  435 

by  their  proctors  appointed  to  dispute  and  agree,  in  the  greater 
church  at  Winchester,  in  judgment  before  the  said  judges,  and 
Gervase  appeared  in  person,  And  the  same  person  agreed,  by 
authority  of  the  Pope's  letter  concerning  the  church  of  New- 
bury, which  he  said  was  situated  within  the  limits  of  the  parish 
of  Thatcham,  and  therefore  belonged  to  Thatcham  Church. 
Wherefore  he  intended  to  remove  both  the  abbot  and  convent 
of  Prdaux,  and  Gervase,  the  clerk,  from  Newbury  church.  At  length, 
after  many  allegations  and  exceptions  put  forward  on  both  sides, 
by  common  assent,  before  our  judges  and  the  lawyers  assisting 
them,  it  was  amicably  arranged,  an  oath  being  given  by  both 
parties  to  observe  faithfully  the  form  of  peace ;  that  Thatcham 
church  shall  receive  every  year  2s.  from  Newbury  church  as  it 
has  heretofore  received,  Also  the  abbot  and  convent  of  Preaux 
shall  pay  of  their  goods  for  the  good  of  peace  4^.  id.  a  year  to 
the  abbot  and  convent  of  Reading,  within  the  octave  of  Michael- 
mas, without  any  difficulty  or  cavillation,  which  may  arise  about 
the  payment  or  term  of  payment  of  the  said  money,  under  the 
obligation  of  the  same  oath. 

"We  therefore  will  keep  harmless  under  the  foresaid  form 
clerks,  as  well  those  from  us,  as  on  the  other  side,  who  hold  the 
remaining  portions,  if  they  hold  any,  in  the  church  of  Thatcham. 
And  that  this  composition  may  remain  for  ever  perpetual  and 
stable,  we  confirm  it  by  adding  our  seals." 

This  Composition  is  undated,  but  Simon  was  Abbot  of 
Reading,  12 13 — 26. 

There  are  in  the  Record  Office  many  volumes  of  tran- 
scripts of  documents  relating  to  England  from  the  archives 
of  foreign  countries.  One  of  these  volumes  contains  those 
from  Normandy,  and  in  it  are  transcribed  about  twenty 
documents  relating  to  the  abbey  of  Pratellis  or  Preaux, 
taken  from  a  cartulary  of  that  abbey,  including  a  counter- 
part of  the  composition  between  Gervase  of  Newbury,  on 
the  one  part,  and  Simon,  Abbot  of  Reading,  on  the  other. 
Beyond  this  the  only  other  mention  of  Newbury  is  as 
follows : — 

"Memorandum,  that  we  (abbey  of  Preaux)  receive  in  the 
Church  of  Newbury,  annually,  40.?.  at  Christmas  ;  loj.  at  Easter; 
\os.  at  feast  of  St.  John  Baptist ;  and  \os.  at  Michaelmas." 

F  f  2 


436  The  Advowson  of  the  Rectory. 

The  arrangement  as  confirmed  by  the  Composition  was 
faithfully  observed,  as  a  receipt  is  extant  *,  dated  i  5  Edw. 
IV.,  1474-5,  from  John  Bristow,  Almoner  of  Reading 
Abbey,  whereby  he  acknowledges  the  payment  of  the  an- 
nual sum  of  4^.  %d.  due  from  the  rectory  of  Newbury. 

How  it  was  that  the  Abbot  and  Convent  of  Reading 
were  able  to  shew  that  Newbury  church  was  within  the 
parish  of  Thatcham  it  is  difficult,  in  the  absence  of  any 
evidence  relating  to  the  suit,  to  determine.  In  many 
parishes  even  at  the  present  day  some  portion  in  the  middle 
of  one  parish  belongs  to  another  that  is  distant,  but  that 
has  generally  occurred  by  a  unity  of  possession  in  the  first 
instance,  when  the  lord  of  a  manor  at  his  own  cost 
erected  a  new  church,  and  made  a  new  parish  out  of  his 
own  demesnes,  some  of  which  lay  in  the  compass  of 
another  parish.  But  these  conditions  are  wanting,  so  far 
as  our  information  extends,  as  regards  Newbury.  The 
parish  of  Thatcham  was  formerly  the  largest  in  the  county, 
excepting  Lamborne,  containing,  according  to  Rocque's 
survey  made  in  1761,  11,491  acres,  and  it  is  still  very  ex- 
tensive, though  the  hamlets  of  Midgham  and  Greenham 
have  been  since  formed  into  separate  ecclesiastical  dis- 
tricts. The  latter  parish  adjoins  the  town  of  Newbury  on 
the  south-east,  the  original  boundary-line  of  the  parish  of 
Thatcham  running  close  to  the  supposed  site  of  the  castle 
of  Newbury,  which  was  besieged  by  King  Stephen. 

At  the  Taxation  of  Pope  Nicholas,  who  granted  the  first- 
fruits  and  tenths  of  all  benefices  to  Edward  I.  for  six 
years,  towards  defraying  the  expense  of  an  expedition  to 
the  Holy  Land,  the  church  of  Newbury  was  rated  at 
;^I3  6s.  M.  The  Prior  of  "Pratellis"  (Preaux)  was  re- 
turned as  having  temporal  property  at  Newbury  to  the 
value  of  £2.,  and  the  Prior  of  Sandleford  £2  %s.  8d.  This 
Taxation,  which  was  made  about  1291,  is  a  most  im- 
portant record,  because  all  the  taxes  payable  as  well  to 
the  King  as  to  the  Pope  were  regulated  by  it,  until  the 
survey  made  in  the  26th  year  of  Henry  VIIL,  known  as 
the  "  Valor  Ecclesiasticus  ^." 

■I  Cotton.  MS.  Vesp.  E.  v.  f.  66  b.  «  Taxatio  P.  Nich. 


The  Advowson  of  the  Rectory.  437 

In  1 341,  at  the  Inquisition  of  the  Ninths,  being  the  re- 
port of  a  commission  to  ascertain  the  value  of  the  ninth  of 
corn,  fleeces,  and  lambs  in  cities  and  boroughs,  the  ninth 
part  of  all  goods  and  chattels  which,  by  an  Act  14  Edw. 
III.,  was  to  be  granted  to  the  King  for  two  years,  towards 
the  expense  of  the  Scotch  and  French  wars,  the  return 
from  the  parish  of  Newbury  is  as  follows  : — 

"  Thomas  Chakyndon,  Philip  Picott,  Richard  de  Somenour, 
Thomas  le  Parker,  Ralph  le  Fatte,  and  John  atte  Burche  say,  on 
their  oath,  that  the  ninth  of  sheaves,  lambs,  and  wool  in  the  said 
parish  is  worth  this  year,  at  the  true  value,  ^10,  and  not  more, 
because  great  part  of  the  profit  of  the  Church  consists  of  the 
tithe  of  hay  and  oblations  of  the  town  of  Nyubury ;  with  which 
said  ;!£^io  four  men  of  the  town  are  charged '." 

The  advowson  remained  in  the  gift  of  the  abbot  and 
convent  of  Preaux  till  about  the  year  1394,  when  Sir 
Lewis  Clifford,  Knight,  had  a  grant  for  life  from  this 
religious  house,  with  the  licence  of  the  King  (Richard  II.), 
of  the  advowson  of  the  church  of  Newbury,  and  other 
possessions  of  the  monks  of  Preaux,  with  remainder  to  his 
son  Lewis  for  life  also,  upon  a  certain  rent  reserved  to 
the  King  during  the  continuance  of  the  wars  with  France. 
The  extensive  donations  to  foreign  monasteries,  which  in- 
creased for  a  large  portion  of  the  time  during  which  Nor- 
mandy and  Anjou  were  subject  to  England,  formed  a 
nucleus  for  discontent.  The  priories  abroad,  for  the  better 
management  of  their  estates  and  revenues  in  England, 
established  Cells  subordinate  to  their  respective  houses, 
which  were  called  Alien  Priories.  The  produce  of  their 
estates  was  probably  magnified  in  popular  opinion  ;  but 
whether  more  or  less,  in  the  wars  between  England  and 
France  their  revenues  were  regularly  seized,  which  induced 
these  foreign  abbeys  to  be  anxious  to  sell  or  lease  their 
interest  in  them,  during  these  troubles  at  least,  to  other 
religious  houses  in  England,  or  to  any  private  persons 
who  wanted  to  endow  other  monastic  foundations.  Hence 
the  advowson  of  the  church  of  Newbury,  and  other  pos- 

'  Cal.  Non.  Inq.,  p.  7.   Lond.  1807. 


438  The  Advotvson  of  the  Rectory. 

sessions  of  the  monks  of  Preaux  in  this  country,  were 
granted,  with  the  consent  of  the  King,  to  Sir  Lewis  Clif- 
ford, upon  a  certain  rent  reserved  to  the  Crown.  In  most 
cases  the  rent  was  the  same  that  was  paid  in  time  of  peace 
to  these  foreign  abbeys.  At  a  later  period  the  suppression 
of  the  ahen  priories  was  made  legal,  and  the  confiscation 
of  their  lands  formed  the  precedent  which  led  to  the 
general  dissolution  of  the  monasteries  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  VIII.  Sir  Lewis  Clifford,  K.G.,  who  thus  became 
possessed  of  the  advowson  of  Newbury,  was  an  ancestor 
of  Lord  Clifford  of  Chudleigh,  and  became  a  leader  among 
the  Lollards,  but  afterwards  recanted  to  Archbishop 
Arundel.  His  extraordinary  will,  in  which  he  enjoins  his 
executors  to  bury  him,  "  false  and  traytor  to  his  Lord 
God,"  with  extraordinary  indignities,  is  preserved  in  Dug- 
dale's  "Baronage"  (i.  p.  341).  It  may  not  be  unworthy 
of  remark  that  his  descendants  have  adhered  to  their 
ancient  faith. 

In  the  sixth  year  of  Henry  IV.  (1404),  the  King,  by  his 
Letters  Patent  dated  March  15,  granted  the  advowson  of 
the  church  of  Newbury,  and  other  property  belonging  to 
the  abbey  of  Preaux,  to  Sir  Thomas  Erpingham,  Knight, 
Lord  Warden  of  the  Cinque  Ports,  one  of  the  most  famous 
warriors  of  his  age,  to  be  held  by  him  for  life,  in  as  ample 
a  manner  as  Sir  Lewis  Clifford  held  them  b. 

At  the  taxation  of  the  spiritualities  of  the  diocese  of 
Salisbury  at  the  commencement  of  Bishop  Hallum's  Re- 
gister (9  Hen.  IV.),  1408,  the  church  of  Newbury  was 
taxed  at  twenty  marks,  and  the  pension  of  the  Prior  of 
Pratell  therefrom  at  one  mark. 

On  the  suppression  of  alien  priories,  which  were  dis- 
solved by  Act  of  Parliament,  i  Henry  V.,  c.  6,  7^  their 
estates  came  to  the  Crown,  when  Sir  Thomas  Erpingham, 
who  had  served  with  Henry  in  all  the  wars  with  France, 
with  the  consent  of  the  King,  granted  his  life  interest  in 
the  advowson  of  the  church  of  Newbury  and  other  pos- 

K  Dugdale,  Hist.  Warwickshire,  vol.  i.  pp.  535-6. 

"Printed  entire  in  Rymer's  Fredera,  vol.  ix.  p.  283,  and  in  the  Parliament 
Kolls,  vol.  IV.  p.  22. 


Tlie  Advowson  of  the  Rectory.  439 

sessions  of  the  abbey  of  Preaux  to  the  prior  and  convent  ot 
the  Carthusian  monastery  of  Witham,  in  the  county  of 
Somerset. 

This  grant  not  only  had  the  confirmation  of  the  King, 
but  he  granted  to  the  priory  and  convent  of  Witham,  after 
Erpingham's  death,  the  same  lands,  with  all  rights,  &c., 
which  formerly  belonged  to  the  abbey  of  Preaux,  without 
rent  or  account,  by  reason  of  the  war,  and  free  from  tenths, 
fifteenths,  tallage,  &c.,  granted  by  Convocation  of  Par- 
liament, notwithstanding  the  statute  of  mortmain,  or  that 
possessions  of  aliens  were  assigned  for  the  King's  house- 
hold, or  of  the  King's  foundation ;  or  that  the  said 
manors,  advowsons,  &c.,  are  held  in  chief,  or  of  greater 
value  than  specified,  or  granted  to  the  said  abbot  and 
convent  for  divine  service  or  hospitality ;  or  that  the  said 
lands  came  into  the  King's  hands  by  seizure  in  conse- 
quence of  the  war. 

This  instrument  is  dated  at  Westminster,  July  15,  1413. 
The  consideration  to  be  paid  into  the  hanaper  by  the 
Prior  and  Convent  of  Witham  for  this  grant  was  only  50 
marks,  "  because  they  are  poor '." 

King  Henry  VI.,  in  the  nineteenth  year  of  his  reign, 
1440,  by  Letters  Patent  dated  at  Westminster,  November  28 
(wherein  a  former  grant  is  recited), — 

"  out  of  a  most  devout  affection  to  the  house  of  Witham,  as 
being  the  first  of  that  holy  rule  that  had  been  founded  in  this 
kingdom,  and  to  the  intent  that  the  monks  there  serving  God 
should  more  especially  pray  for  the  souls  of  his  royal  progenitors, 
as  also  for  his  own  soul  after  his  departure  out  of  this  life,  gave 
unto  them  and  their  successors  the  gifts  specified  in  the  former 
grant  of  his  father,  Henry  V.,  to  hold  and  enjoy  for  ever  in  pure 
alms'." 

This  patent  was  judged  invalid  on  the  accession  of 
Edward  IV.,  and  the  monks  of  Witham  obtained  from 
that  King  another  charter,  bearing  date  at  Westminster, 
July  20,  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign,  and  a  confirmation 
of  their  former  grant'. 

i  Rot.  Pat.  I  Hen.  V.,  pt.  3,  m.  20. 
^  Diigdale,  Hist.  Warwicks.,  vol.  i.  pp.  535-6-  '  Ibid. 


440  The  Advowson  of  the  Rectory. 

Shortly  before  the  general  dissolution  of  the  monasteries 
the  Prior  and  Convent  of  Witham  granted  to  Sir  John 
Brydges,  Knight,  the  advowson,  presentation,  or  free  dis- 
position of  the  parish  church  of  St.  Nicholas,  Nevi^bury,  in 
the  county  of  Berks,  and  diocese  of  Salisbury,  whenever  by 
death,  resignation,  deprivation,  cession,  or  any  other  mode 
of  avoidance,  it  should  first  and  next  chance  to  be  vacant ". 
It  seems  probable  that  this  grant  was  for  one  turn  only, 
as  the  advowson  soon  after  reverted  to  the  Crown. 

In  the  ecclesiastical  survey  known  as  the  Valor  Eccle- 
siasticus,  made  in  pursuance  of  an  Act  of  Parliament, 
26  Hen. VIII.,  1534 — 1535,  for  ascertaining  the  yearly  value 
of  all  the  possessions  appertaining  to  any  monastery, 
priory,  church,  parsonage,  vicarage,  free  chapel,  &c.,  within 
the  realm,  the  church  of  Newbury  was  valued  at;^38  \6s.(^\d., 
after  allowing  for  procurations  and  other  deductions,  and 
paid  its  tenth,  £},  ijs.  8d. 

Sir  John  Brydges,  to  whom  letters  of  advowson  were 
granted,  appears  most  probably  to  have  been  the  person 
who  was  appointed  Lieutenant  of  the  Tower  on  the  ac- 
cession of  Queen  Mary,  who  created  him  Lord  Chandos 
of  Sudeley,  April  8,  1554.  Richard  Brydges,  of  Great 
Shefford,  who  was  of  this  family,  obtained  considerable 
grants  of  monastic  possessions  in  this  neighbourhood,  in- 
cluding certain  properties  in  Newbury  belonging  to  the 
monastery  of  Witham. 

The  property  which  was  possessed  by  the  Priory  of 
Witham,  in  Newbury,  is  thus  returned  in  the  "  Ministers' 
Accounts  "  for  the  year  ending  Michaelmas,  1539°  : — 

"  Deanery  of  Newbury. 
Newbury.     Assessed  Rents    .         .         .     ^£1  gs.  ^d. 
Pension  from  the  Rectory     .  i  6.r.  2>d." 

At  the  dissolution  of  the  religious  houses,  when  all 
ecclesiastical  possessions  were  seized  by  the  King,  Witham 
Priory  shared  the  fate  of  other  conventual  establishments, 
and   the   advowson   of  the   church  of  Newbury  became 

'"  Bishops'  Registry  at  Salisbury— Shaxton,  f.  19. 
°  Dugdale,  Mon.,  vol.  vi.  pt.  i,  p.  1. 


The  Advoivson  of  the  Rectory.  441 

vested  in  the  Crown ;  and  in  compliance  with  the  will  of 
Henry  VIII.  was  bestowed,  with  the  manor  of  Newbury 
and  other  property,  on  his  daughter,  the  Princess  Eliza- 
beth, "  until  such  time  as  she  should  be  provided  for  by 
honourable  marriage  or  otherwise  °." 

During  the  time  that  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Woodbridge 
held  the  Rectory  of  Newbury  a  survey  of  all  church 
livings  was  made  by  virtue  of  a  commission  issued  out  of 
the  High  Court  of  Chancery,  bearing  date  April  23,  1655P, 
when  the  following  Report  was  returned  concerning  New- 
bury : — 

"Nubery  is  a  Parsonage,  worth  £^11  i6j-.  od.,  formerly  in  the 
guift  of  y^  late  King.  Mr.  Benjamin  Woodbridge  is  yi^  present 
Incumbent,  being  a  godly,  able,  and  painefuU  Minister.  The 
parish  is  at  present  large,  being  a  greate  Market  Towne.  And 
we  conceive  it  maybe  fitt  for  another  Church  to  be  built  in  some 
parte  of  y°  Towne,  and  that  a  parte  of  y^  parish  of  Speene  called 
Speenham  Land,  adjoyneing  to  Nubery  togeither  with  the  Chap- 
pellry  of  Sandleford,  with  a  tithing  or  hamlet  called  Grenham, 
in  the  parish  of  Thatcham,  be  annexed  thereto. 

Jurors. 
Giles  Spicer.  William  Ambrose. 

Robert  Hutchins.  Thomas  Elgar. 

John  Godard.  The  x  of  John  Norten. 

John  Bartholomew.  John  Shepherd. 

John  Knight. 

Commissioners. 

Henry  Langley.  Phillip  Allen. 

And.  Keepe.  John  CoUins." 

Henry  Cooke. 

This  excellent  recommendation  was  not  acted  upon, 
but  Speenhamland,  Greenham,  and  St.  John's,  Newbury, 
are  now  separate  ecclesiastical  parishes. 

With  the  exception  of  the  Commonwealth  period,  when 
all  ecclesiastical  order  was  suspended,  the  advowson  con- 

°  Rot.  Pat.  4  Edw.  VI.,  fol.  3,  m.  25. 
p  "  Survey  of  Church  Livings,"  Lambeth  Palace  Library  :  "Berks." 


442  The  Advoivson  of  the  Rectory. 

tinued  in  the  gift  of  the  Crown  from  the  Reformation  until 
1854,  when,  in  accordance  with  an  Order  in  Council,  dated 
August  1 1  in  that  year,  the  advowson,  with  the  patronage 
of  St.  Nicholas,  Newbury,  was  transferred  to  the  See  of 
Oxford,  and  thus  the  direct  connection  of  the  sovereigns 
of  England  with  our  Church  became  severed,  after  a  union 
of  more  than  300  years. 


CHAPTER    II. 


Ube  Cbantries,  ©bits,  aub  Cburcb  (Boobs. 

Bullock's  or  St.  Mary's  Chantry,  1330.  —  Warmington's  Chantry,  1367. — 
John  Chelry's  bequest  for  an  Obit  in  Newbury  Church,  1438. — Worme- 
stall's  Chantry,  1466. — The  Church  Goods,  1552. 

Bullock's  Chantry. 

IN  the  year    1330,  an  inqiiisitio  ad  quod  damnum  was 
taken  at  Newbury,  on  writ  dated  February  6  in  that 
year,  to  ascertain 

"  If  it  would  be  to  the  damage  of  the  King,  or  of  any  of  his 
subjects,  if  Robert  Bullock  of  Newbury  assign  a  messuage  in  the 
town  to  Richard  de  Warmington,  Rector  of  Newbury,  to  cele- 
brate divine  service  at  the  Altar  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  in 
Newbury  for  the  souls  of  the  father  and  mother  of  the  said 
Robert  Bullock,  and  of  all  the  faithful  departed.  The  jury 
found  that  it  would  be  no  damage  to  any  one,  and  reported  that 
the  messuage  was  held  of  the  Earl  of  Lincoln,  as  of  the  inherit- 
ance of  his  wife  by  service  of  2s.  ?sd.  yearly,  and  was  worth 
2  6.f.  ?>d.  beyond  this  in  annual  value.  The  Earl  of  Lincoln 
held  of  the  Earl  Marshal,  who  was  a  tenant  of  the  King.  There 
remained  to  Robert  Bullock  after  his  gift,  lands  and  tenements 
worth  one  mark  yearly,  which  were  held  of  the  Earl  Marshal 
by  an  annual  payment  of  Si'"." 

The  Earl  of  Lincoln  referred  to  in  the  Inquisition  was 
Eubolo  le  Strange,  a  younger  son  of  John,  Baron  Strange, 
of  Knockyn,  who  in  some  documents  is  dignified  with  the 
title  of  Earl  of  Lincoln,  he  having  married  Alice  de  Lacy, 
the  daughter  and  heir  of  Henry  de  Lacy,  Earl  of  Lincoln, 
and  the  divorced  wife  of  Thomas  Plantagenet,  Earl  of 
Lancaster. 

The  grant  by  Robert  I^llock  was  confirmed  by  Wyvill, 

■"  Inq.  ad.  q.  d.,  3  Edw.  IIL,  No.  53. 


444  ^'^^  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods. 

Bishop  of  Salisbury,  and  the  license  of  the  King  obtained 
to  alienate  the  messuage  in  Mortmain,  March  i6,  1337 ''- 

The  family  to  which  Robert  Bullock,  the  founder  of  the 
first  Chantry  in  our  church  belonged,  was  of  some  import- 
ance in  the  county  of  Berks,  for  there  is  a  Final  Concord 
(is  Edw.  III.,  no.  195)  between  Robert  Bullock,  senior, 
plaintiff,  and  sundry  defendants,  for  the  manor  of  Erburgh- 
field  (Arborfield),  which  was  settled  on  the  plaintiff  for 
life,  with  reversion  to  Robert  his  son,  and  Joanna,  daughter 
of  John  de  Drokensford,  and  the  issue  of  Robert  Bullock, 
junior,  and  Joanna  his  wife,  in  default  of  issue  to  Robert 
Bullock,  senior,  and  his  heirs.  John  de  Drokensford  was 
Keeper  of  the  King's  Wardrobe,  Lord  High  Treasurer, 
and  afterwards  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells  from  13 10  to 
1329,  and  the  above  Joanna  was  not  improbably  a  relative 
of  his.  The  manor  of  Arborfield  belonged  to  the  Bullocks 
for  many  generations.  Robert  Bullock  of  that  place 
served  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  Berkshire  and  Oxfordshire 
in  the  8th  and  iSth  Richard  II.,  and  was  M.P.  for  Berks 
in  the  Parliament  summoned  to  meet  at  Westminster 
6  Richard  II.,  1382.  The  names  of  Thomas  Bullock  and 
Richard  Bullock  occur  in  the  list  of  the  gentry  of  Berk- 
shire, returned  by  the  Commissioners  12  King  Henry  VI., 
1433.  Thomas,  son  of  Robert  Bullock,  of  Arborfield, 
married  Ahce,  daughter  of  William  Yeading,  whose  son 
Robert  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  William  Norreys, 
of  Bray,  from  whom  descended  the  Lord  Norreys  of 
Rycote.  Thomas  Bullock,  of  Arborfield,  was  Sheriff  of 
Berks,  23  Queen  Elizabeth.  In  the  pedigree  of  the 
family  one  of  them  is  called  "  Hugh  with  the  brazen 
hand."     The  arms  there  given  are 

"  Gules,  a  fess  between  bulls'  heads  cabossed  argent,  armed  or. 
Crest,  On  a  torse,  argent  and  gules,  five  bills  or  staves,  sable, 
bound  with  an  escarf  knot  taselled  gules." 

Lieut.-Col.  Jonathan  Bullock,  of  Falkborne  Hall,  Essex, 
M.P.  for  the  county,  was  the  last  direct  male  heir  and 
descendant  of  the   Bullocks   of  ^Arborfield.     He   died  in 

^  Reg.  Mfyvill,  f.  41. 


The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods.  445 

1809,  when  the  estates  devolved  on  his  nephew,  Jonathan 
Watson,  Esq.,  who  assumed  the  name  and  arms  of  Bul- 
lock. 

In  the  Valor  Ecclesiasticus ",  temp.  Hen.  VIII.,  the  fol- 
lowing particulars  are  given  concerning  Bullock's  Chantry 
in  Newbury  Church  : — 

Chantry  called  Bulloke's  Chantry,  within  the  church  ;£   s.  d. 
of  St.  Nicholas,  appropriated  to  the  Rectory,  per 

annum  clear  .         .         .         .         .         .         .  8   16  2 

The  tenth  017  7| 

All  colleges,  chantries,  and  hospitals  were  dissolved  and 
granted  to  the  Crown  by  statute  37  Henry  VIII.,  ch.  4  ; 
and  by  a  subsequent  Act,  i  Edward  VI.,  c.  14,  their 
revenues  were  directed  to  be  devoted  to  the  maintenance 
of  grammar-schools,  the  improvement  of  vicarages,  and 
the  support  of  preachers.  Some  portion  was  so  applied, 
but  much  the  greater  part  was  shared  among  the  mem- 
bers of  the  government,  to  support  the  charge  of  their 
new  dignities,  or  was  employed  in  the  payment  of  some 
of  the  late  King's  debts. 

In  the  report  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  to  survey 
the  ecclesiastical  property  in  Berkshire  there  is  this  notice 
of  Bullock's  Chantry  : — 

"  There  is  a  Chantry  called  Bullocke's  Chantry,  founded  by 
Robert  Bullocke,  and  hath  been  dyss.  . .  [?  disused]  by  the  parson 
of  Newbury  since  the  fourth  day  of  February,  in  the  27  th  year  of 
the  late  King's  reign  [Henry  VIII. ]  without  the  King's  license, 
of  the  clear  yearly  value  of  ;^9  t^s.  \d.  And  the  ornaments, 
plate,  goods,  and  chattels  merely  appertaining  to  the  said 
Chantry  are  none  ''." 

The  Ministers'  Accounts,  i,  2  Edward  VI.,  furnish  the 
following  return  from  Bullock's  Chantry  while  in  the 
King's  hands  : — ■ 

Deanery  of  Newbury. 

"  Account  of  Richard  Pickering,  collector,  for  half  a  year  end- 
ing at  Michaelmas. 

■=  Vol.  ii.  p.  157. 

■•  Chantry  Certificate  (Southampton  and  Berks),  No.  51. 


446  The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods. 

'^Bullock's  Stipendiary  in  Newbury,  £/^  iis.  8d.  half  of 
£g  ^s.  4d.,  the  annual  rent  and  farm  due  to  the  King^." 

In  the  Particulars  for  Grants  of  Chantry  lands  the 
endowment  of  Bullock's  Chantry  or  Stipendiary  is  thus 
described : — 

"Rent  of  a  messuage  with  appurtenances  in  Newbury,  given 
by  Robert  Bullock  and  Richard  Warmington,  late  Rector  there, 
to  the  intent  that  Warmington  and  his  successors  should  find  for 
ever  a  chaplain  to  celebrate  mass  at  St.  Mary's  Altar  in  the 
parish  church  of  Newbury,  as  appears  by  Charter  of  20th  of  April, 
10  Edw.  III.  The  said  rent  now  in  the  occupation  of  the 
Rector,  dos.,  at  12  years'  purchase  =  ;^36. 

"  There  is  neither  lands,  &c/  " 

Edvi^ard  Heydon,  the  last  Rector  of  Newbury  appointed 
by  the  Priory  of  Witham,  appears  on  the  Roll  of  Fees, 
Corrodies,  and  Pensions,  paid  out  of  the  Exchequer  to 
members  of  the  suppressed  Chantries,  2,  3  Philip  and 
Mary,  as  having  an  annual  pension  of  ^Os.  as  Incumbent 
of  Bullock's  Chantry,  and  Robert  Fossake,  or  Foscute, 
priest,  late  celebrating  in  the  Church  of  Newbury  (Chap- 
lain of  Wormestall's  Chantry),  as  the  receiver  of  an  annual 
pension  of  ;^6.  In  1559  Edward  Heydon,  Rector  of  Craw- 
ley, Hants,  was  installed  Prebendary  of  Winchester  ;  this 
was  probably  the  person  mentioned  above,  who  resigned 
the  Rectory  of  Newbury  in  155 1. 

Warmington's  Chantry. 

(Supplementary  to  Bullock's.) 

On  February  8,  42  Edw.  III.,  1367-8,  an  Inquisition 
(by  writ  dated  January  26),  was  taken  at  Hungerford,  by 
the  oath  of  certain  jurors,  who  say  that 

"  It  is  not  to  the  injury  of  the  King,  or  of  any  of  his  subjects, 
though  the  King  grant  to  William  de  Warmington,  Chaplain  of 
St.  Mary's,  or  Bullock's  Chantry,  in  Newbury  Church,  that  he 
may  give  three  messuages,  one  toft,  twelve  acres  of  meadow,  and 
five    shillings    rent,   with   the    appurtenances    in    Newbury,    to 

'^  Ministers'  Accounts,  i,  2  Edw.  VI.,  No.  3,  m.  4. 

'  Particulars  for  Grants,  Augmentation  Off.,  Misc.  Books,  vol.  67,  f  218 

210.  / '     •  > 


The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods.  AA7 

Thomas  Charles,  parson  of  the  Church  of  Newbury,  in  aid  of 
finding  a  Chaplain  to  celebrate  for  the  estate  of  the  said  William 
while  living,  and  for  his  soul  when  he  shall  have  departed  this 
life,  and  for  the  soul  of  Robert  Bullock,  and  the  souls  of  their 
fathers,  mothers,  and  all  the  faithful  departed,  in  the  said  church 
every  day  for  ever ;  to  have  and  to  hold  to  them  and  their  suc- 
cessors, being  parsons  of  the  said  church,  in  aid  as  aforesaid. 

"  One  messuage  of  the  said  three  with  the  said  toft  is  held  of 
Nicholas  de  Cantilupe  by  the  service  of  li^d.  per  annum,  and  he 
holds  of  the  heirs  of  the  Count  of  Perche,  who  hold  of  the  King 
in  capita;  and  the  premises  are  worth  per  annum  (clear)  \2d. 
The  two  other  messuages,  12  acres  of  land,  and  one  acre  of 
meadow  are  held  of  Aymer  (Almarici)  de  Valence  and  William 
de  la  Zouche  undivided  {pro  indivisio),  and  by  the  service  of 
31-.  (>d.  yearly  ;  and  they  hold  of  the  heirs  of  the  Count  of  Perche, 
who  hold  of  the  King  in  capite.  The  said  tenements  are  worth 
beyond  the  aforesaid  payment  4J.  per  annum.  The  ^s.  rent  is 
held  of  the  heirs  of  Nicholas  de  Cantilupe,  and  they  hold  of  the 
heirs  of  the  Count  of  Perche,  who  hold  of  the  King  in  capite. 

"  No  lands  beyond  those  contained  in  the  abovesaid  gift  remain 
to  the  said  WiUiam  s." 

In  the  Valor  Ecclesiasticus^,  Warmington's  Chantry, 
which  vi'as  an  augmentation  of  Bullock's,  is  thus  de- 
scribed : — 

"  Chantry  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  Robert  Mine- 
hall,  Incumbent  of  the  same,  per  annum  clear       .       9   10     9 

The  tenth     o  19     i 

The  Report  of  the  Chantry  Commissioners  supplies  the 
following  particulars  of  this  foundation  : — 

"  Warmington's  Chantry.  One  Chantry  of  Our  Lady,  founded 
by  Richard  de  Warmyngton,  sometime  parson  of  Newbury,  and 
other  inhabitants  there,  to  the  intent  to  have  a  priest  to  sing  in 
the  Chapel  of  Our  Lady  in  Newbury.  And  for  the  maintenance 
thereof  they  have  put  certain  land  and  tenements  in  feoffment, 
as  well  to  pay  the  said  priest  his  stipend,  as  also  to  perform  and 
fulfil  certain  other  charges  incident  or  belonging  to  the  same. 

"The  said  Chantry  is  situate  within  the  parish  church  of 
Newbury. 

B  Chanc.  Inq.  p.  m.,  42  Edvv.  III.,  No.  23. 
^  Vul.  ii.  p.  157. 


448  The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods. 

£     s.    d. 
The  value  of  the  said  Chantry  by  the  year  whereof         18     98 

For  rent  paid 036 

For  the  priest     .         .         .         .  8   13     4 

For  wine  and  wax       .          .         .          .034 
For  the  tenth o  19     i         9   ^9     3 


And  so  remain eth  £,?>  10     5 

which  is  employed  by  the  Proctors  of  the  said  Chantry  towards 
the  yearly  repairing  the  tenements  thereto  belonging '. 

"Ornaments,  plate,  jewels,  goods,  and  chattels,  merely  apper- 
taining to  the  said  Chantry  there  are  none,  for  it  is  served  with 
the  ornaments  of  the  said  Church." 

The  Ministers'  Accounts  of  this  Chantry  for  the  half 
year,  i,  2  Edward  VI.,  are  as  follows : — 

"Chantry  of  St.  Mary,  in  Newbury.  £6  \os.  \\d.,  half  of 
£\T,  OS.  22d.,  the  annual  rent  and  farm  due  to  the  King''." 

The  Particulars  for  Grants  of  Chantry  lands  enable  us 
to  obtain  a  more  minute  account  of  the  situation  and 
income  from  this  property  comprising  the  endowment  of 
this  Chantry  : — 

Parcel  of  St.  Mary's  Chantry.  Rent  of  a  garden  near  Grene- 
hamway,  in  the  occupation  of  John  Goldwyer,  at  will,  at  ltd. 
a  year. 

Rent  of  a  messuage  called  Hockehowse,  in  Chepe-Street,  in  the 
occupation  of  Robert  Carter  at  5^.  a  year. 

Rent  of  a  messuage  or  tenement  with  curtilage,  and  garden  con- 
taining one  rood,  now  in  the  occupation  of  John  Awmdover, 
and  late  in  tenure  of  Thomas  Hoddes,  at  13^-.  4^.  a  year. 

Rent  of  a  garden  in  occupation  of  Thomas  Organ,  at  2s.  Zd. 
a  year. 

Rent  of  a  tenement  on  the  south  side  of  Mill-street  [i.e.  the 
street  leading  to  West  Mills],  in  occupation  of  John  Ridar, 
and  another  there  in  the  occupation  of  — .  Eyres,  widow,  with 
garden,  14  ft.  wide  and  20ft.  long;  another  tenement  with 
garden  20  ft.  x  40  ft.,  on  the  east  side  of  Bartholomew-street, 
in  occupation  of  Thomas   Waterman ;    another  tenement  in 

'  Chantry  Certificate  (Southampton  and  Berks),  No.  51, 
^  Ministers'  Accounts,  i,  2  Edw.  VI.,  No.  3,  m.  4. 


The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods.  449 

Chepe-street,  on  the   east  side,  in  the   occupation   of  John 
Hawten,  Esq. 
All  held  by  John  Knight,  Gent.,  at  12s.  i,d.  a  year. 
Rent  of  an  acre  of  land  near  Sandleford  Lane,  in  occupation  of 

Richard  Latymer,  bd.  a  year,  at  22  years'  purchase  =  ii.f. 
Rent  of  a  tenement  near  the  Cemetery  [i.e.  the  Litten,  or  burial- 
ground  attached  to  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  late  the  play- 
ground belonging  to  the  Grammar  School],  in  tenure  of  divers 
priests,  13^.  i,d.  a  year,  at  10  years'  purchase  ;Qi>  isi'.  i,d. 
Whole  yearly  value  ^it,  \s.  %d\ 

St.  Mary's  Chantry-chapel,  the  foundation  of  Robert 
Bullock  and  William  de  Warmington  ™,  is  on  the  south  side 
of  the  chancel,  and  until  the  restoration  of  the  church  in 
1865-67,  was  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  building,  and 
for  many  years  was  used  as  a  school  for  the  boys  belong- 
ing to  Cowslade's  and  Kendrick's  charities. 

Wormestall's  Chantry. 

This  Chantry  was  founded  in  the  Church  of  Newbury 
by  Henry  Wormestall,  in  the  seventh  year  of  Edward  IV. 
(1466),  who  by  his  last  will,  dated  May  S,  1466,  bequeathed 
certain  lands  and  tenements  in  the  names  of  feoffees  to 
the  intent  that,  after  paying  for  all  needful  reparations  to 
the  said  premises,  they  should  hire  a  priest  to  pray  for  the 
soul  of  the  founder,  and  all  Christian  souls.  With  this 
proviso,  that  it  should  be  at  all  times  lawful  for  the  said 
feoffees  to  alter  and  vary  the  said  foundation,  as  in  their 
discretion  should  seem  good  ". 

In  the  Valor  Ecclesiasticus°  this  Chantry  is  returned  as 
under : — 
Chantry  in  the  Church  of  St.  Nicholas,  founded  by 

Henry  Wormestall,  Thomas  Foscote,  Incumbent, 

per  annum  clear  .        .         .         .         .         .604 

The  tenth     012     o\ 

'  Particulars  for  Grants,  Augmentation  Off.,  Misc.  Books,  vol.  67,  f.  218, 
219. 

'"  In  the  preceding  Ciiantry  Certificate  the  name  of  Richard  de  Warming- 
ton  is  given  as  one  of  the  founders  of  this  chantry,  a  misconception  which 
evidently  arose  from  the  insertion  of  his  name  as  Chaplain  in  the  license 
obtained  by  Bullock  for  settling  land  in  mortmain  for  this  purpose. 

"  Particulars  for  Grants,  Augmentation  Off.,  Misc.  Books,  vol.  67,  f.  218, 
219.  °  Vol.  ii.  p.  157. 


45  o  The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods. 

The  Commissioners   of  Edward  VI.  reported   on   this 

foundation,  as  follows  : — 

£'s.    d. 

The  value  of  the  said  Chantry  by  the  year  whereof      13     9     ^ 

For  rent  paid o  1 5     4 

For  the  priest     . 


For  an  Obit 

For  the  procurations 

For  the  tenth 


S  o  o 
0100 
068 

O     12        o}t        10    4 


And  so  remaineth         ^3     5     7i 

which  is  employed  by  the  Proctors  of  the  said  Chantry  toward 
the  yearly  repairing  of  the  house  thereto  belonging  p. 

The  Ministers'  Accounts  of  this  Chantry  state  : — 
WormestalVs   Chantry  in  Newbury  returns   an   annual  rent  or 
farm  of  £\-i,  95.  8(f.,  of  which  is  due  to  the  King  for  half 
3-  ycs-f)  £fi   14-f-   lO'^-  ' 

The  Particulars  for  Grants  for  the  sale  of  Chantry- 
lands  gives  the  following  description  of  the  property  be- 
longing to  this  foundation  : — • 

Rent  of  a  tenement  situated  in  Newbury,  on  the  east  side  of 
Chepe-street,  with  the  vacant  ground  of  Robert  Brodwell  on 
the  south  side,  in  the  tenure  of  Henry  Horncliffe,  at  43^-.  \od. 
a  year,  at  10  years'  purchase  =  :£i^T-   iSi-.  ^d. 

ISineteen  acres  of  arable  land  in  the  common  field,  i.e.  Green- 
hamfelde,  i4|-  acres  in  the  east  field  of  Newbury,  and  4i 
acres  in  tenure  of  H.  Horncliffe,  at  dd.  per  annum  =  9^.  dd. 
at  twenty-two  years'  purchase  =  ^10  ()s. 

Three  cottages  on  the  east  side  of  Chepe-street  in  the  occupation 
of  Richard  Plaisterer  and  John  Squier;  a  close  of  pasture, 
I  acre,  with  three  rakkes  therein  [i.e.  racks  for  drying  cloth], 
in  tenure  of  Richard  Brydges,  Esq.,  a't  i2i-.  a  year,  at  ten  years' 
purchase  =  £6. 

Rent  of  4  acres  and  3  roods  of  arable  land,  i.e.  i  acre  in  Le 
Eastefeld  of  Newbury,  i  acre  in  the  common  field  of  Grene- 
ham,  caUed  Minefield,  i  acre  3  roods  in  Dunston  field,  2  acres 

P  Chantry  Certificate  (Southampton  and  Berks),  No.  51. 
1  Ministers'  Accounts,  i,  2  Edw.  VI.,  No.  3,  m.  4. 


The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods.  45 1 

with  four  pieces  of  pasture  land  in  Lotemeade,  in  tenure  of 
John  Millet,  at  will,  4^-.  yearly,  at  22  years'  purchase  =  jQ^  %s. 

Rent  of  a  tenement  with  garden  on  the  east  side  of  Northebroocke- 
strete,  Newbury,  in  tenure  of  Edward  White,  26J.  8^.  yearly, 
at  10  years'  purchase  =  jQ\t,  ds.  Zd. 

Rent  to  the  King  for  the  tenement  and  land  in  the  tenure  of 
Horncliffe,  as  of  the  manor  of  Greneham,  late  belonging  to 
the  Prior  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem,  5^-.  dd.,  and  for  rent  lately 
belonging  to  the  Prior  of  Witham  9^.,  extinguished.  Clear 
yearly  value,  ;Qi^  ids. 

Memorandum.  The  yearly  value  of  the  whole  land  belonging  to 
this  stipendiary  is  jQii,  gj.  8^.,  whereof  the  premises  deducted, 
the  residue  shall  remain  ;2^8  13^.  8^.,  which  consisteth  in 
houses. 

In  consideration  of  the  sum  of  £61'^  Zs.  ^d.  the  King 
(Edw^ard  VI.)  granted  the  whole  of  the  lands  and  proper- 
ties above  enumerated,  lately  belonging  to  the  dissolved 
Chantries,  to  John  Knight,  Robert  Were,  alias  Brown,  and 
others ;  the  purchasers  being  discharged  of  all  incum- 
brances, except  leases  and  the  covenants  in  the  same,  and 
to  have  the  issues  from  the  preceding  Michaelmas  ■". 

The  instrument  of  conveyance  was  dated  December  24, 
2nd  year  of  King  Edward  VI.,  1548,  and  the  property  of 
these  eleemosynaries  passed  into  lay  hands. 


John  Chelry's  Bequest  for  an  Obit  in 
Newbury  Church. 

In  addition  to  the  perpetual  Chantries  in  Newbury 
Church,  there  were  several  Obits,  anniversaries,  and  other 
services  for  the  departed,  ordered  to  be  observed  for 
a  term  of  years,  or  for  a  shorter  period.  For  instance, 
John  Chelry  (referred  to  in  a  previous  chapter,  pp.  179, 
180),  by  his  will  dated  May  14,  1438,  directed  that  after 
providing  sixteen  marks  for  a  chaplain  who  should  sing 
masses  for  his  soul  in  the  parish  church  during  the 
two  years  next  after  his  decease,  a  sum  of  twenty  marks 

*■  Particulars  for  Grants,  Augmentation  Off.  Misc.,  Books,  vol.  67,  f.  218, 
219. 

Gg2 


452  The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods. 

(per  annum  the  will  says,  but  it  is  badly  drawn  and  obscure) 
should  be  paid  to  the  churchwardens  [procuratoribus)  for 
the  support  of  the  fabric.  Every  chaplain  who  should 
attend  his  funeral,  and  the  mass  after  it,  was  to  receive  the 
sum  of  four  pence,  as  was  also  the  parish  clerk.  He  then 
made  provision  for  his  two  daughters,  who  were  to  receive 
ten  marks  apiece,  and  sundry  enumerated  articles,  and 
concluded  his  will  without  any  mention  of  his  wife. 

We  subjoin  one  of  these  depositions — that  of  the  clerk 
who  drew  the  will — verbatim,  as  a  specimen  of  the  Eng- 
lish as  written  in  the  year  of  grace  1452. 

"  To  all  treu  christin  peple  unto  whos  syght  or  hearyng  thys 
p'sent  wrytyng  shall  come  Syr '  Harey  Knocston  Vycary  of  Mer- 
lok  [Martock]  in  the  Counte  of  Soms't  sendyth  gretyng  in  our 
lorde  godd  ev'lastyng  Fuevmor,  be  hit  openly  knowe  that  John 
Smyth,  orwys  callyd  John  Chelry  of  Newbury  sometyme  my  master, 
send  for  me  to  Marleburgh  in  the  Whitsonweke  last  byfor  he 
paste  oute  of  this  Worlde  and  I  came  at  hys  sendyng,  he  byyng 
syke  in  hys  bedde,  and  then  at  hys  prayer  y  made  a  note  of  his 
testament  in  the  wych  he  ordeyned  a  certeyne  sum  of  money  to  be 
payde  to  the  chyrch  of  Newbury  aforsayde.  Allso  a  certeyne  sum 
of  money  to  his  two  dougterys,  Allso  to  fynde  a  preste  by  twoo 
yeers  or  ellis  two  prestys  by  one  yeer  to  pray  for  his  sowle,  the 
whych  he  desyryd  of  me  that  y  should  have  be  his  prest  duryng 
the  terme  aforsayd.  And  y  excusyd  me  for  as  moche  as  my 
benefys  was  promysyd  me.  Allso  hit  was  his  wyll  at  that  tyme 
that  the  reversyon  of  the  place  that  he  dwellyd  in  wyth  a  tene- 
ment of  the  sowth  syde  next  thereto  wyth  all  their  ptynenc,  etc. 
shuld  be  solde  to  pforme  his  wyll  aforsayde.  And  yt  Jenett,  ye 
which  was  his  wyfe  at  yt  tyme,  shuld  have  the  reversyon  of  the 
places  forsayde  wyth  her  ptynenc,  etc.  to  her  and  to  her  Assygnes, 
in  fee  for  ever  on  yis  co'dycyon,  that  the  forsayde  Jenett  shulde 
p'forme  or  do  to  be  p'formyd  the  wyll  of  his  bequeste  and  ordy- 

'  The  title  of  Sir  was  formerly  given  to  priests  in  holy  orders,  who  had 
not  taken  their  degrees ;  whilst  that  of  Master  was  given  to  those  who 
had  commenced  in  the  arts.  Hence  Fuller,  in  his  Church  History,  quaintly 
says,  "More  Sirs  than  Knights."  Shakespeare,  in  "The  Merry  Wives  of 
Windsor,"  calls  a  Welsh  parson  Sir  Hugh  Evans  ;  he  has  also  a  Sir  Topas 
in  "Twelfth  Night,"  and  Sir  Oliver  in  "As  You  Like  It."  Spenser,  in 
more  than  one  instance,  designates  a  priest  Sir  John.  Bishop  Percy  says 
that  the  title  of  Sir  was  appropriated  to  such  of  the  inferior  clergy  as  were 
only  readers  of  the  service,  and  not  admitted  to  be  preachers. 


The  Chantries,  Obits,  and  CJmrch  Goods.  453 

naunce  Fuevmor  as  it  was  enformyde,  and  allso  have  sey  by 
wrytyng  that  ye  seyd  Ihon  Smyth  made  a  state  of  ye  seyde  re- 
versyon,  etc.  to  the  p'son  of  Newbury,  the  p'son  of  Wyhcham 
[Wickham]  and  to  me  wt  others,  etc.  to  this  contente,  when  yt 
wee  be  requyred  yt  wee  shall  delyver  our  state  to  the  seyd  Jenett 
or  to  her  Assygnes.  In  recorde  herof  to  this  my  present  script 
y  have  sett  to  my  scale — Geven  at  Oxenford  in  allsowlys  CoUeg' 
the  xxiii"!  day  of  April  the  xxx*  yer  of  our  soverayn  Lorde  Kyng 
Henry  sexthe.'' 


Newbury  Parish  Church  Goods,  1552. 

The  chantries  in  the  church  having  been  suppressed  by- 
Henry  VIII.  in  1 545,  and  their  revenues  granted  to  the 
Crown  by  Act  i  Edward  VI.  ch.  14,  subsequent  proceed- 
ings were  taken  to  sweep  the  few  remaining  treasures  of 
the  church  into  the  coffers  of  the  State.  In  1552  Com- 
missioners were  appointed  to  make  inventories  of  the  or- 
naments, jewels,  bells,  vestments,  and  other  property  re- 
maining in  the  parish  churches  throughout  England.  The 
order  to  the  Commissioners  directed  that  those  things 
which  were  absolutely  necessary  for  Divine  Service  were  to 
be  retained,  the  coverings  of  the  Communion-table,  and 
other  linen  ornaments  over  and  above  what  were  actually 
needed,  were  to  be  given  to  the  poor,  "in  such  sort  as 
may  be  most  to  God's  glory  and  our  honour ;"  the  copes 
and  other  rich  vestments  to  be  sold,  and  the  proceeds 
given,  not  "to  God's  glory,"  but  "to  our  own  use."  All 
the  bells  were  to  be  sold  except  the  great  bell  (which  it 
was  necessary  to  leave  to  call  people  together),  and  the 
"  saunse  bell '." 

The  Commissioners  for  Berks,  appointed  May,  1552, 
were  the  Marquis  of  Northampton,  Sir  Philip  Hoby,  Sir 
Maurice  Berkeley,  Sir  Humfrey  Forster,  Thomas  Weldon, 
John  Norris,  and  Thomas  Denton,  and  the  inventories  of 
the  goods  in  the  different  churches  in  the  county,  signed 
by  the  receivers  of  the  respective  parishes,  are  now  pre- 

'  See   Introduction  to   "  Church   Goods  in   Berkshire,''   by   the   Author. 
James  Parker  and  Co.,  Oxford  and  London,  1879. 


454  l^he  Chantries,  Obits,  and  Church  Goods. 

served  in  the  Public  Record   Office".     That  relating  to 
Newbury  is  as  follows  : — 

Newbury. 
"  This  Inventory  indented  made  the  seconde  daye  of  August 
in  the  sexte  yere  of  the  Raigne  of  o'  soueraigne  Lorde  Edward  e  the 
sixte,  betwene  the  Comyssyoners  of  o'  said  soueraigne  Lorde  for 
the  vyewe  of  all  goodes,  plate,  juelles,  belles,  and  ornamentes,  to 
euery  Churche  and  Chapell  w'in  the  countye  of  Berk,  belonginge 
or  in  any  wyse  appertaignynge  of  the  one  partye,  and  Thomas 
Dolman,  and  William  Blandy,  and  Anthony  Harmer,  and  Richard 
Cooke,  Churche  wardens  of  the  peryshe  churche  of  Newbury,  in 
the  said  countye  of  the  other  partye,  Wittenessethe  that  the  said 
Comyssyoners  haue  delyvered  by  thies  presentes  to  the  said 
Churche  Wardens  All  parcelles  here  after  partyculerly  wryttene, 
viz.  one  Challys  w'  A  pattene  parcell  gylte,  A  cope  of  fyne  blewe 
velvett  embroydered  w'  spanges  of  golde,  one  other  cope  of 
clothe  of  bawdy  kyne^,  certene  l}'nene  Appoynted  for  the  servyce 
of  the  mynystracion  of  the  Comyunyone,  ij  payer  of  orgayns  y 
V  belles  hanginge  in  the  Tower,  A  clothe  of  fyne  Arras  con- 
teynynge  in  lenthe  iij  yardes  and  in  bredthe  ij  yardes  and  di.  w''' 
dyd  hange  Att  the  high  Alter,  and  a  sanctus  bell.  And  all  the 
said  parcels  safly  to  be  kept  and  preserued,  And  the  same  and 
euery  parcell  thereof  to  be  forthcomynge  at  all  tymes  when  it 
shalbe  of  them  requyred  In  Witnesse  whereof  aswell  the  said 
Comyssyoners  as  the  said  Churche  wardens  to  this  Inventory 
haue  subscribed  their  names.     The  day  and  yere  aboue  writtene. 

per  Thomas  Dolman. 

per  me  Wyllyam  Blandy. 

per  me  Anthony  Harmer. 

per  me  Rycherd  Coke. 

'-  Land  Revenue  Records,  Church  Goods,  Berks,  Bundle  443,  and  Ex- 
chequer, Queen's  Remembrancer's  Miscellanea,  Church  Goods,  Berks, 
Bundle  No.  I. 

^  Tissue,  or  cloth  of  gold,  from  Baldacca. 

y  The  larger  organs  are  often  called  "a  payer"  in  these  Inventories. 


CHAPTER    III. 


Ibistors  anil  Description  ot  tbe  present 
parisb  Cburcb. 

The  evidence  of  date  from  the  architecture. — The  Will  of  Jack  of  Newbury. 
— Date  on  the  tower. — .Size  of  the  Church. — Chief  architectural  features. 
—Work  of  restoration,  185S-67.— The  Stained-glass  Windows.— The 
Communion  Plate. — The  Bells. — The  Clock  and  Chimes. — The  Monu- 
mental Inscriptions. 

IT  remains  now  to  say  something  respecting  the  history 
and  architectural  features  of  the  existing  church,  which, 
owing  to  the  pious  munificence  of  past  parishioners,  who 
left  funds  for  its  maintenance,  has  been  fortunately  pre- 
served to  us  almost  as  intact  as  when  it  left  the  hands  of 
its  original  builders. 

There  would  be  peculiar  interest  in  determining  when 
the  edifice  was  commenced,  and  by  whom  the  works  were 
undertaken  and  directed  ;  but  no  record  is  to  be  found  in 
the  Diocesan  archives  at  Salisbury  of  any  ofScial  act  or 
proceeding  having  reference  to  the  building  of  the  church. 
But  though  official  documents  are  at  present  wanting,  we 
are  supplied  with  some  evidence  towards  the  solution  of 
the  question.  When  was  the  church  built  ?  not  only  by  the 
analogy  in  architectural  character  to  those  works  whose  age 
is  definitely  ascertained,  but  also  from  other  inferences. 

First,  then,  the  style  and  detail  of  the  whole  building  is 
that  of  the  late  Perpendicular  period,  and  this  points  to 
its  having  been  built  about  the  end  of  the  fifteenth  or 
commencement  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

Beyond  the  information  which  can  be  derived  from  the 
general  design  of  the  church  as  to  the  probable  date  ot 
its  erection,  material  evidence  is  afforded  by  certain  badges 
or  devices  of  Henry  VIII.  and  Queen  Katherine,  repre- 
sented on  various  parts  of  the  building,  and  which  demon- 
strates that  the  church  was  erected  between  the  years 
1509—1533- 


456  History  and  Description  of 

Prominent  among  these  devices  are  the  pomegranate 
and  the  portcullis.  The  pomegranate,  apple  of  Granada, 
was  assumed  by  Ferdinand  V.  of  Castile,  the  father  of 
Katherine  of  Arragon,  to  commemorate  his  conquest  of 
Granada  from  the  Moors  in  1492.  It  was  on  the  3rd  of 
June,  in  the  year  1509,  that  Henry  VIII.  espoused  Kathe- 
rine, whom  he  divorced  in  1533,  and  we  may  therefore 
fairly  assume  that  the  date  of  the  erection  of  the  church 
must  be  enclosed  between  these  two  years.  The  port- 
cullis was  only  introduced  after  the  accession  of  the  House 
of  Tudor  in  1485,  and  was  placed  on  the  royal  escutcheon 
by  Henry  VII.  to  shew  his  maternal  descent  from  the 
family  of  Beaufort,  and  to  indicate  that  as  the  portcullis, 
the  device  of  the  Duke  of  Somerset  (the  eldest  son  of 
John  of  Gaunt  by  his  third  wife)  is  an  additional  security 
to  the  gates  or  porch  of  a  fortress,  so  his  descent  through 
his  mother  strengthened  his  title  to  the  Crown.  The 
other  devices  represent  portions  of  the  royal  arms — lions 
passant-guardant,  the  crosses  of  St.  George  and  St.  An- 
drew, the  Tudor  rose,  the  Fleur-de-lis,  &c. 

Fuller,  the  Church  historian,  in  his  "  History  of  the 
Worthies  of  England,"  published  in  1662,  a  part  of  which 
was  printed  before  the  author  died,  in  1661,  says  : — 

"  John  Winscombe,  called  commonly  Jack  of  Newberry,  .  .  . 
built  the  church  of  Newberry,  from  the  pulpit  westward  to  the 
tower  inclusively,  and  died  about  the  year  1520." 

It  is  impossible  to  speak  with  certainty  as  to  the  posi- 
tion of  the  pulpit  in  Fuller's  time.  Anciently  pulpits 
always  faced  the  west,  that  the  people  in  all  acts  of  de- 
votion might  look  towards  the  east,  according  to  the 
custom  of  the  primitive  Church  ;  the  change  to  the  south 
or  other  direction  was  an  introduction  of  the  Puritans. 
The  proper  place  for  the  pulpit  would  therefore  have  been 
either  on  the  north  side  of  the  east  end  of  the  nave,  as  at 
present,  or  on  the  south,  or  men's  side,  which  is  the  most 
common  position,  as  at  Wells,  Chartres,  Haarlem,  Aix, 
and  formerly  at  Winchester,  Peterborough,  Gloucester,  and 
Worcester. 

When   the   pulpit   now   in   the   church  was   given    by 


the  present  Parish  Church.  457 

Mrs.  Cross,  in  i6o6-y,  it  appears  to  have  been  placed 
against  one  of  the  columns  of  the  nave  arcade ;  and  in 
1683-4  it  was  on  the  north  side  of  the  nave,  in  front  of  the 
second  column  from  the  chancel,  and  there  it  remained, 
excepting  for  a  short  time  in  1797,  until  about  forty  years 
ago,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  north  end  of  the  screen, 
subsequently  to  the  south  end,  and  ultimately  back  again 
to  the  north  end,  which  is  its  present  position.  It  is  very 
noticeable  that  the  columns  of  the  nave  arcade,  from  the 
place  where  the  pulpit  formerly  stood,  differ,  in  size  and 
arrangement,  from  those  between  this  point  and  the 
tower ;  the  clerestory  windows  not  being  dissimilar.  We 
have,  therefore,  no  positive  evidence  to  exactly  define  the 
extent  of  Winchcombe's  part  towards  building  the  church 
already  referred  to  (p.  203).  By  his  will  dated  January, 
1519-20,  the  year  in  which  he  died,  Winchcombe  made 
considerable  bequests  to  the  parish  church  of  Newbury, 
and  as  this  is  a  most  valuable  and  important  document, 
and  of  special  interest  in  our  present  enquiry,  it  will  be 
well  at  this  point  to  introduce  it  in  its  entirety : — 

"  In  the  Name  of  God,  Amen.  The  iiij"i  day  of  January,  in 
the  yere  of  our  Lord  God  m  v'^  and  xix,  I,  John  Smalwoode  the 
Elder,  al's  John  Wynchcombe,  of  the  p'ish  of  Seynt  Nicholas,  in 
Newbery,  in  the  dioces  of  Sars",  of  hoole  and  p'fitte  mynde,  make 
my  Testament  and  last  Wille  in  man'  and  forme  folowinge  : — 
First,  I  bequeth  my  Soule  to  Almighty  God,  to  our  blessed  Lady 
Saint  Mary  the  Virgyn,  and  to  all  the  holy  Company  of  Hevyn. 
And  my  body  to  be  buryed  in  our  Lady  Chauncell,  w'in  the 
pishe  Churche  of  Newbery  aforesaide,  by  AHce  my  wyf,  and  a 
stone  to  be  leyd  upon  us  boothe.  Also  I  bequethe  to  our  Moder 
Churche  of  Sars  xij''.  Also  I  bequiethe  to  the  High  Aulter  of 
the  said  Churche  of  Newbery,  for  my  offerings  negligently  for- 
goten,  xii".  Also  I  bequeathe  to  our  Lady  Awter  in  the  saide 
Churche  viii''.  Also  I  bequiethe  to  Saynt  Thomas  Aulter  in  the 
same  Church  viii''.  Also  I  bequeithe  to  ev'y  Aulter  besides  in 
the  said  P'sshe  Churche  iiijd.  Also  I  geve  and  bequeathe  to 
Johann  my  wiffe  one  hundreth  m'ks  st',  and  my  stuff  of  house- 
holde.     Also  I  geve  and  bequeathe  to  the  same  Johan'  all  my 

"  Salisbury. 


^c8  History  and  Description  of 

cattails  and  the  woode  that  lieth  in  the  middys  of  the  Culver- 
house,  w'  all  my  corne  and  haye.  Also  I  give  and  bequiethe 
unto  her  half  my  plate.  Moreover  I  will  that  the  saide  Johan' 
shall  have  during  her  life  naturall  all  suche  landes  and  ten'ts,  with 
their  appurtennc's,  as  I  holde  by  Indenture  of  the  College  of 
Wyndesore,  except  and  oonly,  res'ved  to  John'  my  son',  all  the 
Rakkys^  and  teynters"  as  thei  now  stonde  within  a  close  called 
the  Culverhouse '',  with  free  liberte  and  passage  in  and  oute  to 
hym,  and  to  his  assignes  in  and  for  the  occupyinge  of  the  same, 
and  after  the  disceas  of  the  said  Johan'  I  will  that  the  saide  londs 
and  ten'ts,  w'  their  appurtennc's,  hooly  remayne  to  the  said 
John'  during  the  termes  co'prised  in  the  saide  Indentures  thereof 
made.  Also  I  give  and  bequiethe  to  the  said  p'ishe  Churche  of 
Newbery,  towards  the  buylding  and  edifying  of  the  same  x". 
Alsoe  I  bequeithe  to  Joh'n  Tunnell  iii".  vi'.  viii-i-  Also  I  be- 
queithe  to  Richard  Coke  xx».  Also  I  bequeithe  to  Thomas 
Harryson  xx".  Also  I  bequeithe  to  Margaret  Reiche  xK  Also 
I  bequeithe  to  Kateryne  Weste  xx^  Also  I  bequeithe  to  Alice 
Marshe  xx^  Also  I  bequeithe  to  Agnes  Holmes  vi^  viij.  And 
to  ev'y  of  my  women  serv'nts  besides  xxi^.  Item  I  bequeithe  to 
ev'y  of  my  men  s'vnts  in  my  house  xx''.  Also  I  bequeithe  to 
WilHam  Dollman,  besid's  all  things  of  his  Cov'ennt's  xK  Also 
I  bequeithe  to  Sir  John  Waite,  p'son  of  Newbery,  for  the  recom- 
pen's  of  my  tythes  negligently  forgoten,  xP.«  Also  I  will  that 
my'n  Executo'  do  kepe  an  obite  for  me  and  my  freinds  to  the 
sum'e  of  x=  oons  ev'y  yere,  to  bee  distributed  amongs  preestis 
and  clerks  during  the  termes  of  xxij"  yeres.  Also  I  will  that 
my'n  Executo'  doe  fynde  an  honest  preest  to  syng  for  me  and 
my  friends  by  the  space  of  one  hole  yere.  The  residue  of  all  my 
goodes  not  gevyn  and  bequeathed,  my  funalls  [funeral's]  dette  and 
legacies  paide  and  fulfilled,  I  geve  and  bequethe  hooly  to  Joh'n 

^  Wooden  frames  for  drying  cloth. 

°  A  frame  for  stretching  cloth. 

''  I.e.  Pigeon-house  Close,  Culver  being  an  old  English  name  for  a  pigeon, 
or  dove.  The  close  cannot  now  be  identified,  but  it  would  appear  to  have 
been  at  the  rear  of  Winchcombe's  factory,  in  the  Marsh.  "Jack  of  New- 
bury" had  a  Fulling  Mill  on  the  site  of  the  present  Corn  Mill  at  Bagnor.  The 
adjoining  ground  is  still  called  the  "  Rack  Marsh,"  and  so  late  as  the  end  of 
the  last  century  some  of  the  old  posts  vphich  formed  part  of  the  framework  for 
drying  the  cloth  were  standing.  Deloney,  in  his  "History  of  John  AVinch- 
combe,"  speaks  of  clolhs  "stretched  on  Tenters,''  and  "some  hanging  on 
Poles." 

"  I.e.  the  tithes  of  the  movable  goods  and  chattels  possessed  by  him  at  the 
time  01  his  death. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  459 

my  Sonne,  wTiome  I  ordeyne  and  make  my  true,  lawful!,  and  soole 
Execute'  of  this  my  pn't  Testament  and  last  Will,  to  dispoase  for 
the  helthe  of  my  soule  as  he  shall  think  most  expedient.  Also  I 
make  and  ordeyn  Robt.  She[p]way  ov'seer  of  this  my  present 
Testament  and  last  Will.  And  I  will  that  he  have  for  his  labo'  xx'. 
Witnes,  I,  John'  Wayte,  p'son  of  the  said  Churche  of  Newbery. 
Sr.  Rob't  Wright,  curat'  of  the  same,  Robert  She[p]way,  Roger 
Benet,  John  Tunnell,  and  Thomas  Harrison,  with  many  other. 

"  Probatum  fuit  test'm  sup'scripti  defuncti  h'ent's,&c., coram  d'no 
ap'd  Lamebith  xxiiij'"  die  mensis  Marcij  Anno  D'ni  Milli"  Quin- 
gen™  xix°  Jur'  Thome  Friser  procur^^  Joh'is  Smalwod  Execu- 
toris  in  h'm'o'i  test'o  no'i'ati  ac  approbatum  et  insumatu',  Et 
com'issa  fuit  administratio  omn'  et  singulor'  honor'  et  debitor' 
dicti  defuncti  prefato  Executori  in  p'sona  dicti  pcu"'  de  bene 
et  fidel'r  administrand'  eadem.  Ac  de  pleno  et  fidel'r  Inven™ 
citra  festum  Pasche  prox'  futur'  exhibend'  necno'  de  piano  com- 
poto  reddend,  ad  Sancta  Dei  Ev'ng,  in  debita  iuris  forma 
Jurat"." 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  will  was  proved  on  March  24, 
1 5 19,  by  the  testator's  son  John^  who  was  residuary  lega- 
tee. We  may  infer  from  the  terms  "  buylding  and  edi- 
fying" that  the  new  works  were  then  approaching  their 
completion,  and  his  donations  to  the  various  altars,  and 
instructions  to  be  buried  in  St.  Mary's  Chantry,  would 
also  suggest  that  the  material  portion  of  the  new  church 
was  then  already  constructed.  The  Chantry-chapels  being 
foundations  distinct  from  the  church,  the  cost  of  their 
rebuilding  was  probably  provided  for  out  of  the  revenues 
attached  to  these  institutions  themselves  ;  and  as  the  ad- 
vowson  of  the  Rectory  belonged  to  the  Monastery  of 
Witham,  it  would  be  the  duty  of  that  House  to  reconstruct 
the  chancel. 

On  a  corbel  inserted  over  the  tower-arch  is  inscribed  the 
date  of  "A.D.  1532,"  and  from  this  it  would  appear  that 
the  tower  was  not  completed  for  some  thirteen  years  after 
the  death  of  "  Jack  of  Newbury."  But  it  is  very  probable 
that  his  eldest  son  and  namesake  continued  the  work  his 
father  had  begun,  the  tower  and  other  portions  of  the 

'  Extracted  from  the   Principal  Registry  of  tlie  Probate,  Divorce,  and 
Admiralty  Division  of  the  High  Court  of  Justice. 


460  History  and  Description  of 

building  remaining  unfinished  at  his  father's  death  being 
completed  by  him  in  1532. 

There  is  nothing  remarkable  about  the  architectural 
features  of  the  church.  The  general  plan  is  that  most 
usual  in  churches  of  the  ordinary  size ;  but  it  has  here 
been  applied  to  a  building  of  unusually  large  dimensions  ; 
and  this  gives  an  effect  perhaps  not  so  satisfactory  as 
would  have  been  produced  had  the  church  had  the  addi- 
tion of  transepts.  The  length  of  the  church,  including 
the  chancel,  is  about  140  feet;  its  mean  breadth  about 
74  feet.  The  nave  has  a  clerestory,  lighted  by  five  large 
three-light  windows  on  either  side,  and  aisles  with  arcades 
of  five  arches  each.  These  aisles  open  into  what  were 
chantry-chapels  on  either  side  of  the  chancel. 

The  arches  are  four-centred,  on  clustered  columns  with 
exceedingly  good  and  well -articulated  caps,  but  with 
hood-mouldings  singularly  deficient  in  shadow.  The  south 
aisle  was  probably  built  at  a  somewhat  later  date  than 
the  north  aisle,  as  appears  from  a  slight  difference  in  the 
height,  and  also  from  a  variation  in  the  tracery  and 
mouldings  of  the  windows  ;  but  it  is  all  part  of  one  gen- 
eral design.  The  chancel  is  about  36  feet  square,  with 
two  windows  on  each  side,  and  a  fine  east  window,  which 
is  partially  intercepted  by  the  reredos.  The  present 
chancel-arch  was  introduced  at  the  restoration  of  the 
church  in  1865-7.  The  wrought-iron  screen  gates  to  the 
chancel  were  made  in  the  year  1704,  by  a  local  workman 
named  William  Field.  These  gates  were  subsequently 
removed  to  the  western  entrance  to  the  churchyard,  but 
have  been  replaced  in  their  original  situation.  The  roof 
of  the  nave  is  of  oak,  and  is  in  the  main  old,  but  has  been 
restored  and  decorated.  Above  the  corbels  are  figures  of 
angels  with  open  wings,  admirably  carved  in  oak,  each 
holding  a  shield,  displaying  the  instruments  and  emblems 
of  the  Passion,  viz.  the  Cross,  and  chain  for  taking  down 
the  body  ;  the  pillar  of  flagellation,  scourge,  bulrush,  and 
rope  for  binding  the  hands  to  the  pillar ;  the  ladder,  ham- 
mer, and  pincers ;  the  lance  and  sponge-topped  reed,  in 
saltire,  with  a  heart  at  base ;  the  dice  and  the  thirty  pieces 


the  present  Parish  Church.  461 

of  silver  ;  the  seamless  coat ;  a  profile  bust  of  Judas, 
wearing  a  cap,  a  rope  round  his  neck,  and  the  bag  below ; 
lantern  ;  the  sword  of  St.  Peter,  and  the  ear  of  Malchus  ; 
three  triangular-headed  crucifixion  nails.  The  aisle  roofs 
are  new,  but  faithful  copies  of  the  old  ones.  The  original 
bosses  have  been  replaced  ;  some  of  these  bear  either  the 
monogram  of  I.O.,  or  a  merchant's  mark.  The  monogram 
of  I.S.,  i.e.,  John  Smalwode,  better  known  as  John  Winch- 
combe,  is  frequently  repeated,  and  identical  with  that 
on  his  monument,  and  on  some  carving  formerly  in  his 
house.  The  initials  "  I.  W."  between  a  cross  saltire  are 
also  carved  on  one  of  the  bosses  on  the  roof  of  the  north 
aisle.  The  arms  of  the  Bishopric  of  Bath  and  Wells, 
viz.,  two  keys  and  sword  in  saltire,  and  a  saltire  quarterly 
quartered,  are  borne  upon  some  of  the  bosses  of  the  aisle 
roofs,  commemorative,  it  may  be,  of  the  connection  of  the 
church  with  the  diocese  in  which  Witham  is  situated,  and 
possibly  of  its  earlier  relationship  to  the  famous  Abbey  of 
SS.  Peter  and  Paul,  of  Preaux.  The  sacred  monogram 
I.H.S.,  and  the  emblems  of  the  Passion,  are  also  repre- 
sented on  some  of  the  bosses  of  the  aisle  roofs. 

The  tower,  which  terminates  the  western  end,  is  a  well- 
proportioned,  even  majestic,  mass  of  masonry.  It  is  about 
70  feet  high,  and  consists  of  three  stages,  above  which  is 
an  embattled  parapet,  with  octagonal  crocketted  turrets 
and  pinnacles  at  the  angles.  The  western  window  under 
the  tower  is  comparatively  modern,  an  imitation,  and  of 
bad  design. 

There  are  north  and  south  porches,  which  appear  to  be 
contemporary  with  the  main  structure. 

The  handsome  Jacobean  pulpit  was  presented  to  the 
parish  by  Mrs.  Margaret  Cross,  of  London,  while  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Coldwell  was  Rector,  who  was  one  of  the  trustees 
appointed  by  this  lady  to  administer  the  charitable  be- 
quest she  made  to  the  town.  The  date  of  the  gift  of  the 
pulpit  is  determined  by  an  entry  in  the  Churchwardens' 
accounts  for  the  year  1607,  which  shews  that  the  old 
pulpit  was  sold  this  year,  and  that  a  certain  sum  of  money 
was  expended  in  presenting  Mrs.  Cross  and  her  family 


462  History  and  Description  of 

with  a  "  reward "  in  recognition  of  the  "  respect  she 
paid  for  the  pulpitt  in  the  cliurch." 

The  font  is  modern,  and  has  a  lofty,  elaborately-carved 
pyramidal  cover,  with  figures  of  the  Apostles  under 
canopies,  and  suspended  from  a  bracket  of  wrought-iron 
work. 

The  condition  of  the  church  at  the  period  when  the 
Rev.  J.  Leslie  Randall  was  appointed  Rector,  in  1857,  can 
scarcely  be  conceived  at  the  present  time.  Clumsy  wooden 
galleries,  the  work  of  1710,  blocked  up  the  windows, 
shabby  high  boxes  or  pens  filled  the  nave  and  aisles,  and 
in  every  direction  the  building  presented  a  most  mean 
and  unworthy  appearance  s.  But  with  the  advent  of  the 
new  Rector  a  better  state  of  things  was  inaugurated  ;  and 
in  the  year  1858  a  Faculty  was  obtained  by  the  Rector 
and  the  Churchwardens  for  certain  alterations  and  im- 
provements in  the  chancel,  which  set  forth  that 

"  There  is  adjoining  to  the  Chancel  of  the  said  parish  of  New- 
bury, on  the  south  side  thereof,  an  Aisle  or  Chamber  called  the 
South  Vestry,  separated  from  the  Chancel  by  a  close  wall,  against 
which  certain  monuments  have  been  affixed  ;  that  it  would,  in 
the  estimation  of  the  said  Rector  and  Churchwardens,  be  very 
desirable  that  the  said  Aisle  or  Chamber  should  be  connected 
with  the  Chancel,  by  opening  an  arch  or  arcade  through  the 
said  wall,  and  that  thereby  a  considerable  increase  of  Church- 
accommodation  might  be  obtained  for  the  convenience  of  the 
Parishioners;  that  Mr.  Henry  Woodyer  of  Grafham,  in  the 
County  of  Surrey,  Architect,  has  been  consulted  on  the  subject, 
and  considers  that  the  alteration  may  be  safely  effected,  and 
that  it  would  improve  the  architectural  appearance  of  the  Church, 
as  Vi^ell  as  increase  the  means  of  accommodation  of  the  Wor- 
shippers, and  that  such  Architect  accordingly  prepared  Plans 
and  Specification  for  the  carrying  out  of  the  measure  above 
referred  to,  and  hkewise  for  an  entire   re-arrangement   of  the 

K  There  is  one  exception  to  be  made  to  this  statement.  There  was  a  hand- 
some classic  altar-piece  in  the  church,  which  was  a  fine  example  of  the  taste 
of  the  period  when  it  was  erected,  about  1720,  but  very  incongruous  in  a 
Gothic  building,  and  it  was  consequently  removed.  It  is  said  to  have  been 
presented  to  the  church  by  a  Mayor  of  the  town  in  the  first  rapture  of 
success  of  the  South  Sea  scheme,  but  when  the  bubble  burst  he  was  unable 
to  pay  for  it.  There  were  also  two  very  fine  chancel  chairs  ot  the  same  cha- 
racter, which  are  in  the  possession  of  the  author. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  463 

Chancel,  and  for  the  opening  out  thereto  of  a  similar  Vestry 
or  Chamber  existent  on  its  North  side." 

The  work  executed  at  this  time  in  the  chancel,  the  cost 
of  which  was  defrayed  by  private  subscription,  included 
a  new  roof  in  choir  and  presbytery,  a  carved  oak  parclose 
to  separate  the  Chantry-chapel,  the  lining  of  the  walls 
with  Derbyshire  alabaster  on  flat  panelling,  a  new  reredos 
consisting  of  seven  panels  with  crocketted  heads,  and 
a  gilt  background  bearing  the  sacred  monogram  and 
figures,  three  sedilia  and  a  piscina  with  triangular  crock- 
etted canopies,  a  low  panelled  stone  screen,  new  oak  choir 
stalls,  and  other  fittings. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  organ  was  remodelled  and 
enlarged  by  Messrs.  Bevington  and  Son,  and  erected  on 
the  north  side  of  the  chancel. 

Another  Faculty  was  obtained  in  the  month  of  February, 
1866,  which  empowered  the  Rector  and  Churchwardens 

"to  thoroughly  repair  the  roofs,  to  remove  the  cumbrous 
Galleries  which  disfigure  the  architectural  proportions  of  the 
Church;  to  take  down  the  whole  of  the  pews  and  sittings, 
and  to  substitute  new  and  open  seats  in  lieu  thereof  upon  an 
improved  arrangement,  to  restore  the  whole  Body  of  the  Church 
(with  the  exception  of  the  Chancel),  to  supersede  any  Faculty 
pews,  to  enlarge  the  Vestry  on  the  northern  side,  and  to  build 
a  new  one,  and  generally  to  do  and  perform  all  such  other 
works  and  operations  as  may  be  fairly  implied  in  fully  carrying 
out  the  plans  and  specification  of  the  Architect  (Mr.  Woodyer), 
and  further  to  take  down  and  carefully  remove  any  Tombs, 
Tablets,  Tombstones,  Hatchments,  Monuments,  Graves,  Vaults, 
Monumental  Inscriptions,  and  other  Records  of  the  Departed 
as  shall  be  requisite,  such  Monuments,  &c.,  to  be  carefully 
preserved  and  placed  in  some  convenient  and  appropriate  situ- 
ation." 

In  order  to  carry  out  the  restoration  as  above  set  forth, 
a  meeting  was  convened  by  the  Rector,  and  a  Committee, 
consisting  of  the  leading  parishioners,  was  formed,  and 
subscriptions  publicly  solicited.  This  appeal  was  most 
liberally  responded  to,  and  a  sufficient  sum  was  raised 
to  enable  the  requisite  works  to  be  undertaken,  which, 


464  History  and  Description  of 

with  many  other  improvements,  has  rendered  this  inter- 
esting building  one  of  the  finest  parish  churches  in  the 
kingdom.  The  zeal  and  liberality  of  the  Church-people 
of  Newbury  and  the  neighbourhood  was  not  confined  to 
the  fabric  alone,  but  in  addition  to  the  work  carried  out 
by  the  Restoration  Committee  several  costly  gifts  were 
made  by  various  individuals.  The  Font  was  presented 
by  Miss  Carbonell ;  the  brass  Lectern  and  an  Altar-cloth 
of  rich  material  by  Mr.  Searight,  father-in-law  of  the 
Rev.  H.  Blagden,  then  senior  curate  of  Newbury,  and 
now  Vicar  of  Hughenden.  Many  other  gifts  were  pre- 
sented by  members  of  the  congregation  and  friends. 

The  building  having  been  put  in  a  state  of  perfect 
repair  at  a  cost  of  about  .£'10,000,  was  re-opened  on 
October  8,  1867,  by  Samuel  Wilberforce,  Lord  Bishop  of 
Oxford,  who  expressed  his  gratification  that  this  grand 
old  church  had  been  so  nobly  restored. 

The  Stained-glass  Windows. 

The  cost  of  the  east  window  in  the  church  was  raised 
by  subscription  at  the  time  of  the  restoration  of  the  chan- 
cel ;  the  amount  being  chiefly  obtained  by  the  late  Mr. 
Henry  Godwin,  F.S.A.,  from  persons  connected  with,  or 
descended  from,  old  Newbury  families.  The  great  west 
window,  under  the  tower,  was  given  by  W.  P.  B.  Chatteris, 
Esq.,  of  Sandleford  Priory,  a  munificent  subscriber  to  the 
restoration  of  the  church,  in  memory  of  his  sister,  the  late 
Mrs.  Arbuthnot,  and  on  a  brass  plate  is  the  following 
inscription : — 

%a  tf)E  ®Iorg  of  ©OS,  anB  in  memDrg  of  lElijabetfr  artutfjnot,  bifro  SieS 
Srptr.  28,  1866,  ageB  64,  tuifE  of  eBBmunB  arbutfjitot,  3Esq.,  of  i^EintoiBn 
J^DUSE  in  tfjE  ffiountg  of  J^anta,  anB  ststEr  of  SEKilliam  ffifjattEris,  lEsq.,  of 
SanBlEfotB  iPtiotg,  in  tl)is  ttountg,  6g  infjom  tfjts  toinJoSH  is  affEctionatelg 
BtBiEatEli. 

The  west  window  of  the  north  aisle  is  a  subscription 
memorial  to  the  late  Rev.  H.  W.  Majendie,  Vicar  of 
Speen,  on  his  resignation  of  the  office  of  Rural  Dean,  and 

is  thus  inscribed  : — 

STo  tljE  ffilotg  of  ffioB,  anB  in  toJtEn  of  affEttionatE  rESf  est  for  tfjE  3KEljtrEnB 
3§Enrg  railliam  fHaJEnBiE,  JK.at.,  Fitar  of  SjjEjn,  anB  40  gEars  Eural  IBEan, 


the  present  Parish  Church.  465 

aitlj  Df  tfjanfefttlntss  tot  fjts  mang  laboutg  nf  lobe,  tfjia  fatinSafa  is  Mtcatrti  bg 
ffiltrgg  anb  ELaitg  tEsiBtnt  tit  anb  neat  i^ig  late  ffljanerg  nf  ^efaburg,  ©ctofaer  8tij, 
1857. 

The  west  window  of  the  south  aisle  was  placed  in  the 
church  in  1867,  by  the  parishioners,  as  a  mark  of  their 
high  appreciation  of  the  great  labours  of  the  then  Rector, 
the  Rev.  J.  L.  Randall,  and  is  thus  inscribed  : — 

So  tfje  ®Iorg  rf  ©Db,  in  tfjanfefulness  for  mang  anb  great  ilessmgs  rtKifacb 
unbEt  t^e  faitfjful  mmistrg  of  tl^s  ^I'a.  Samts  1LesI«  laanball,  fR-a.,  IStttot  of 
t^ts  parisJ),  tfjj  partsfjiontrs  of  Weioburg  bebicate  tfjis  ioinbofa,  %M.  1867. 

The  easternmost  window  of  the  south  aisle  was  inserted 
at  the  expense  of  W.  P.  B.  Chatteris,  Esq.,  in  memory  of 
his  brother-in-law,  Edmund  Arbuthnot,  Esq.,  of  Newtown 
House.     It  is  inscribed  as  follows  : — 

%a  ti^c  ffiloi^  of  ffiob,  anb  in  affectionate  remembrance  of  ^munb  ^rbutfjnot, 
of  Pcbitoinn  |§ouse,  l^ants,  Snijo  bieb  ffictober  33Tb,  a.3B.  V873,  ^geb  80  gears. 

The  second  window  in  the  south  aisle  was  inserted  by 
the  St.  Nicholas  Stained  Glass  Window  Society,  being  the 
commencement  of  a  long-cherished  scheme  of  filling  the 
whole  of  the  windows  with  subjects  representing  various 
and  successive  incidents  in  the  life  of  Christ.  The  third 
window  is  erected  to  commemorate  John  Winchcombe 
(Jack  of  Newbury),  and  is  thus  inscribed  : — 

SCo  tfjE  ®Iorg  of  ®ob,  anb  in  memorg  of  3of)n  Smalfaolrc,  alias  raincfjcombt, 
Sacfe  of  ^etobutg,  CClotfjier  of  tfjts  SToiun,  tofjo  bieb  ib  JFebg.,  a.IB.  mBiti,  & 
to  Wjose  munificence  tijc  erecting  of  tfjis  ffifjurcf)  faas  mainlg  'm.t,  tfjis  bjinbobj  is 
bebicateb. 

The  adjoining  window  on  the  west  side  is  a  memorial 
to  the  late  Mr.  J.  H.  Godding,  Organist  of  the  church, 
and  bears  the  following  inscription : — 

STo  tfje  ffilorg  of  (Sob,  anb  in  lofaing  memotg  of  Samcs  Henrg  ®obbtng,  fa^o 
ioas  for  upfaarbs  of  fiftg  gears  ffirganist  in  tijis  IBeanctg,  anb  for  nineteen  gears 
tfje  bcbotcb  ffirganist  anb  ffiijoirmaster  of  tfjis  Cijurcfi,  iofjo  bieb  iLoto  Sunbag, 
april  20t[;,  1884,  aS^b  64  gears,  tijts  bjinbolo  is  publiclg  subsctibeb  anb  bebi= 
cateb. 

The  east  window  of  the  south  chapel  forms  part  of  the 
public  testimonial  to  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Randall,  and  is  dedi- 
cated by  the  parishioners  to  the  memory  of  his  daughter, 

H  h 


4^3  History  and  Description  of 

Rebe  Randall.     Around  the  window  the  following  inscrip- 
tion is  cut  in  the  stonework  : — 

%z  tffc  ffilorg  of  ffinU,  anli  aa  a  tDften  of  tfjttr  rtgarB  for  tf(E  l&cii.  fames  HesKe 
KanBall,  iIW.3[.,  far  mote  t^ait  20  gears  38.ettor  of  tf)is  parfsf),  tJie  partslfjtoners 
Bclitcate  tfjis  SniitSoto  in  memorg  of  fjts  Baugfjtcr,  3£tcbe  l^anBall,  1878. 

The  south  window  of  the  same  chapel  was  contributed 
by  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Randall  and  his  family  as  a  like  memorial, 
and  is  inscribed  : — 

%n  tfie  ©lorg  of  ©oB  &  xxi  lofama  memorg  of  Eefie  3&EnBalI,  tfits  JninBofa  is 
BeBicateB  bg  Ijer  parents  antr  tfjeir  rfjilBrcn.  "  Sorro&iful  get  rtjotcing."  38om 
June  2?,  1858.    BaptiseB  fulg  25, 1858.    at  rest  Sanuarg  2, 1878. 

The  easternmost  window  of  the  north  aisle  is  a  memorial 
to  the  late  Bishop  of  Oxford,  Samuel  Wilberforce,  D.D.  ; 
the  cost  of  the  window  being  defrayed  by  those  who  were 
ordained  or  confirmed  by  him  during  his  episcopate,  and 
below  is  inscribed  : — 

%a  tf(c  ffilorg  of  ffioB  &  in  grateful  mtmorg  of  tfje  m.^  JReberenB  JFatfjer  in 
<&n\  Samuel  SKEilberforte,  IB.©.,  sometime  iSisfjog  of  tfjisffltotese.mBcceliibii. 

The  westernmost  window  of  the  north  aisle  is  inscribed : — 

Sto  tfje  ®Iorg  of  ®oB  anB  in  tnemorg  of  Sofjn  anB  fSlartfja  ©rag,  tf)is  biinBnbi 
is  etecteB  bg  tfieir  sole  sutbtbins  Baugfjter,  flatt&a  lEKjabctfj  ©rag,  Imas.  1884. 

The  next  window  on  the  east  side  was  inserted  by  the 
Stained  Glass  Window  Society,  i886. 

The  four  windows  in  the  chancel-clerestory  were  given 
by  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Randall.  The  south  clerestory-window 
of  the  nave  is  a  memorial  of  gratitude  for  the  recovery 
of  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Randall  from  a  severe  illness.  The  north 
and  south  porch- windows  are  the  gift  of  James  Gray,  Esq., 
of  London. 

Messrs.  Hardman,  of  London  and  Birmingham,  have 
erected  the  whole  of  the  stained-glass  windows  in  the 
church,  the  designer  being  Mr.  Powell  of  that  firm,  to 
whom  great  credit  is  due  for  these  artistic  productions. 

The  Communion  Plate. 
It  was  thought  necessary,  when  the  Church  was  restored, 
to  remodel  the  old  Communion  plate,  which  is  therefore 
modernized.     The  original  silver-gilt  alms-dish,  which  was 


the  present  Parish  Church.  467 

smaller  than  the  present  handsome  dish,  was  the  gift  of 
Philip  Weston,  Esq.,  of  Bussock  Court,  Winterborne,  and 
Richard  Cooper,  Esq.j  of  Greenham,  Recorder  of  New- 
bury. The  old  wine-flagon  was  also  given  by  Philip 
Weston,  Esq.,  who  also  gave  the  two  old  patens  in  1732. 
The  two  old  chalices  bore  the  names  of  John  Weeks  and 
Edward  Walter,  Churchwardens  in  1732,  and  these  names 
have  been  reinscribed  upon  their  re-fashioned  represen- 
tatives. 

The  Bells. 

The  tower  contains  a  fine  peal  of  eight  bells.  The 
ancient  bells  were  recast  in  1803,  under  the  direction  of 
the  eminent  bell -founder,  James  Wells,  of  Aldbourne, 
Wilts,  and  an  addition  made  to  their  weight.  The  new 
peal  was  rung  for  the  first  time  on  the  election  of  Mr. 
William  Vincent  as  Mayor  of  Newbury.  The  expense, 
between  three  and  four  hundred  pounds,  was  defrayed  by 
public  subscription.  The  eight  bells  are  inscribed  with 
the  names  of  the  Churchwardens  at  the  time,  Samuel 
Grigg  and  Charles  Bull,  and  the  name  of  the  founder. 
The  Priest's,  or  Little  Bell,  R.  Cor,  1724. 

The  ancient  custom  of  ringing  the  Curfew  Bell  is  still 
continued  in  Newbury.  A  bell  is  also  rung  every  Satur- 
day afternoon  at  three  o'clock,  which  is  said  to  have  been 
originated  by  "Jack  of  Newbury,"  as  a  summons  for  the 
weavers  to  receive  their  weekly  wages.  It  is  more  likely 
a  survival  of  the  "  Morrow  Mass  "  bell,  which  its  name 
fully  explains.  A  custom  is  also  observed  at  Newbury 
of  ringing  a  bell  from  twelve  to  one  o'clock  on  Shrove 
Tuesday,  which,  as  it  is  well  known,  is  called  from  the  old 
English  word  shrive  or  shrove,  meaning  to  absolve  after 
confession.  On  which  day  it  was  customary,  in  former 
times,  for  the  people  in  every  parish  throughout  the  king- 
dom to  go  to  confession,  and  thereby  qualify  themselves 
for  a  more  religious  observance  of  the  holy  season  of  Lent. 
In  order  that  this  might  be  done  the  more  regularly,  the 
great  bell  in  every  parish  was  ordered  to  be  rung,  that  it 
might  be  heard  by  all. 

H  h  2 


468  History  and  Description  of 

The  Clock  and  Chimes. 

We  find  mention  made  of  a  set  of  chimes  connected 
with  the  church  clocl?  as  early  as  the  year  1610;  and  in 
the  year  1707,  the  sum  of  £i\  los.  was  paid  by  the 
Churchwardens  to  Mr.  Flaggett  "  for  the  great  clock  and 
chimes,"  and  £1  \os.  "  for  the  quarter  clock."  The  chim- 
ing apparatus  was  remounted  "on  an  improved  principle," 
in  1803,  when  the  bells  were  recast.  Some  years  after, 
the  machinery  getting  out  of  order,  it  was  taken  to  pieces 
by  a  local  clockmaker,  who,  it  is  said,  could  never  succeed 
in  replacing  it.  The  present  clock  was  put  up  by  Messrs. 
Barwise,  of  London,  in  1826. 


MONUMENTAL  INSCRIPTIONS. 

The  following  Epitaphs  are  taken  from  Ashmole's  "  His- 
tory and  Antiquities  of  Berkshire,"  but  the  memorials 
upon  which  the  epitaphs  were  inscribed  have  either  been 
destroyed,  or  no  longer  mark  the  last  resting-place  of 
those  whose  names  are  recorded  on  them. 

"  At  the  East  End  of  the  South  He  lies  a  Gravestone,  with  Brass 
Plates  on  it,  of  a  Man  in  a  Gown  and  a  Woman  in  the  Habit  of 
her  Times,  with  the  Epitaph  following  under  their  feet : — 

Here  lyeth  Henry  Wynchcombe,  Gentylman,  and  Annes  his  Wife  ; 
whyche  Henrye  deceassyd  the  3d  Day  of  October,  in  the  Yere  of  our 
Lord  1562,  and  was  of  the  age  of  40  Yeres. 

On  a  Marble  Gravestone,  lying  Eastward  of  the  former,  is  this 
Inscription  : — 

Here  lyeth  the  Body  of  Elizabeth,  Daughter  of  James  Bond  of  this 
Parish.  She  had  Yssue,  Hugh,  son  of  Hugh  Rolles,  of  Great  Tor- 
rington,  in  Devon.     She  dyed  the  20th  of  April,  1659. 

Low,  here  she  is  deprived  of  Lyfe, 
Which  was  a  verteous  and  a  loving  Wife, 
Untill  the  Graves  again  restore 
Their  Dead,  and  Time  shall  be  no  more. 
She  was  brought  a  Bed,  but  Spous  above, 
And  dyed  to  pay  the  living  Pledge  of  Love. 


the  present  Parish  Church,  469 

In  the  South  He,  on  a  Brass  Plate  : — 

Here  lieth  interred  the  body  of  Wilham  Howes,  of  Newbury,  Gent. 
He  died  the  29th  of  June,  1637,  aged  63,  who  left  behind  him,  Mar- 
garet, his  Wife,  4  Sons,  and  thirteen  Daughters ''. 

On  a  Gravestone  in  the  middle  He  : — 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Mr.  Richard  Cooke,  of  this  Towne,  who  dyed 
January  the  28th,  1660. 

In  the  North  He,  near  the  Chancel,  under  the  Figures  of 
a  Man  and  Woman,  on  Brass  Plates,  is  this  Epitaph : — 

Of  your  Charite  pray  for  the  Soule  of  John  Smalwood  alias  Winch- 
corn,  and  Alice  his  Wife  ;  which  John  dyed  the  15th  Day  of  February, 
An°  Dom.  15 19'. 

This  brass  is  now  placed  on  the  north  wall  of  the  Tower  \ 
Upon  another  Plate  of  Brass,  under  the  Figures  of  a  Man  and 
Woman,  is  this  inscription  : — 

Orate  pro  animabus  Ricardi  Aubrye,  &  Isabelle  uxoris  ejus,  paren- 
tum,  et  filiorum,  consanguineorum,  amicorum  suorum,  &  omnium 
fidelium  defunctorum.  Qui  Ricardus  obiit  4°  Die  Mensis  Marcii,  An° 
Domini,  1469.     Quorum  animabus  propicietur  Deus.    Amen. 

Upon  another  Brass  Plate,  under  the  Pourtraitures  of  a  Man 
and  Woman,  is  this  following  Inscription  : — 

Here  Lieth  the  Body  of  Philip  Kistel,  and  Margery,  his  wife ;  which 
Philip  being  of  the  age  of  Threescore  and  Thirteen  Yeares,  decessed, 
the  26  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1592. 

On  the  South  Wall  of  the  Church,  near  the  East  Light,  is 
a  large  Monument,  erected  upon  three  Columns;  in  the  Space 
between  the  First,  is  the  Statue  of  a  Man  in  Armour,  kneeling, 
in  Stone;  between  the  other  Two,  are  the  Figures  of  Three 
Daughters,  six  Sons,  and  Five  little  Daughters,  and  on  the  Ledge 
of  the  Monument  under  the  Man  is  engraved  : — 

Hie  Jacet  Griffinus  Curteus  Armiger. 

[The   above  monument   is   now  placed  against  the  exterior 

■■  Margaret,  daughter  and  coheiress  of  William  Howes,  Esq.,  of  Newbury 
and  Greenham,  married  Thomas  Lewis,  Colonel  of  the  Trained-Bands  of 
Radnor  and  Brecon.  Col.  Lewis  died  in  1724,  and  was  ancestor  of  the  late 
Sir  George  Comewall  Lewis,  Bart. 

The  following  is  the  correct  inscription  on  the  brass,  in  black  letter : — 

"  Off  yo  charite  pray  for  the  soule  of  John  Smalwode  als  Wynchcom  & 
Alys  hys  Wyfe,  which  John  dyed  the  xv  day  of  February  A°  dm  M^ccccCxix. 


470  History  and  Description  of 

south  wall  of  the  Chancel.     It  is  surmounted  by  a  shield  bearing 
the  arms  and  crest  of  Curteys  : — 

Arms- — Erm.,  a  chevron,  sa.,  between  three  fleurs-de-lis,  or. 
Crest — An  arm,  erect,  habited  in  mail,  holding  in  the  hand 
a  sword. 

In  addition  to  other  charitable  bequests  to  the  poor  of  New- 
bury, Griffin  Curteys  charged  certain  premises  he  possessed  with 
the  yearly  payment  of  ;^i  6j-.  M.  for  the  purchase  of  blue  cloth 
gowns,  to  be  given  to  two  poor  persons,  who  should  every  Sun- 
day attend  in  the  south  aisle  of  the  Church  of  Newbury,  near 
his  tomb. 

This  Griffin  Curteys,  of  Greenham,  was  M.P.  for  the  Borough 
of  Ludgershall  in  the  Pariiament  5  Elizabeth,  1562-3,  and 
Escheator  for  Oxfordshire  and  Berks  from  8  January,  1574,  to 
10  January,  1575,  i6th  and  17th  of  Queen  Elizabeth. 

Since  Ashmole's  time  the  Motto — "Velle  bene  facere,"  on 
Curteys'  monument,  has  been  erased  or  obliterated.  The  fol- 
lowing inscription  is  now  engraved  above  the  figures  : — 

Hie  Jacet  Griffinvs  Curteyes,  Armiger.     Nov.  xxx.  mdlxxxvii." 

On  a  Brass  Plate  fixed  in  a  Gravestone  : — 

A  Memorial!  of  my  Father,  Mr.  Hvgh  Shepley,  Sometymes  Rector 
and  Parson  of  This  Church  and  Towne  of  Newbvrye,  who  was  Borne 
at  Prescott  in  Lancashire,  1526,  and  Bvried  heere  the  Third  of  Maye, 
1596,  aged  70  Yeares. 

On  another  Brass  Plate  fixed  in  the  same  Stone  : — 

Full  Eight  and  Twentie  yeeres  he  was  your  Pastor, 

As  hee  was  taught  to  feede  by  Christ  his  Maister; 

By  Preaching  God's  Word,  Good  Life,  Good  Example, 

(Food  for  your  Soules,  fitt  for  God's  house  or  temple) 

Hee  loved  Peace,  abandoned  all  strife, 

Was  kinde  to  Strangers,  Neighbours,  Children,  Wife  ; 

A  lambe  like  man,  born  on  an  Easter  Daye, 

So  liv'd,  so  di'de,  so  liv's  againe  for  aye  ; 

As  one  Spring  brought  him  to  this  worlde  of  sinne. 

Another  Spring  the  Heavens  receiv'd  him  in. 

John  Shepley,  Citizen  and  Broderer  of  London. 
Amore,  Veritate,  et  Reverentia. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  AT^ 

[These  brasses  are  now  placed  against  the  north  wall  of  the 
tower.] 

The  succeeding  Inscriptions  were  taken  by  Mr.  Thomas 
Hayward,  Attorney-at-law,  of  Hungerford,  on  the  15th 
September,  1770,  and  form  part  of  his  collection  of  epi- 
taphs, epitaphial  verses,  elegies,  and  commendatory  poems, 
comprised  in  34  volumes,  now  in  the  British  Museum 
(Add.  MSS.  13943,  45,  46).  Not  many  of  these  epitaphs, 
so  carefully  recorded  by  Mr.  Hayward,  are  to  be  found  in 
the  church  at  the  present  time. 

Just  coming  out  of  the  Chancel  on  the  Floor  on  a  brass 
plate : — 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Mr.  John  Cooke,  late  Alderman  of  this  Bur- 
rough,  who  dyed  anno  1661,  aged  83 — gave  by  his  Will  unto  the  poor 
people  of  this  said  Burrough  forty  shillings  per  annum  to  be  paid  out 
of  certaine  lands  and  tenements  bequeathed  to  John  Cooke,  Habber- 
dasher,  three  pounds  eighteen  shillings  per  annnm  to  be  paid  out  of 
a  parcel  of  meadow  bequeathed  unto  Robert  Cooke,  and  three  pounds 
one  shilling  per  annum  to  be  paid  out  of  a  messuage  bequeathed  to 
Richard  Waller  for  ever,  and  the  body  of  Constance  his  wife,  who 
dyed  anno  1666,  aged  83. 

On  another  common-stone — Capitals  : — 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Anne  the  wife  of  Benjamin  Wilson,  who 
was  buried  Novem.  the  12,  1680. 

In  memory  of  Cap.  John  Jacob,  who  departed  this  life  the  29th  Jan- 
uary, 1768  ;  aged  66  years. 

On  another : — 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Benjamin  Wilson  who  was  buried  April  the 
loth,  1672.     Aged  67. 

Inscriptions  on  the  floor  in  the  Chancel.  On  an  old  stone  is 
this  Inscription  : — ■ 

Here  lies  the  bodie  of  Francis  Trenchard,  of  Normanton,  in  the 
Countie  of  Wiltes,  Esquire ;  who  departed  this  life  the  sixtt  of 
November,  1635,  leaving  Issue  Elizabeth  his  only  child. 

[The  brass  plate  with  the  above  inscription  is  now  placed 
on  the  north  wall  of  the  tower.] 

On  a  brass  plate  fix'd  to  a  grave-stone  : — 

Here  lyes  the  body  of  George  Widley,  M'  of  art,  and  minister  of 


472  History  and  Description  of 

God's  word.  Hee  departed  this  life,  ye  23rd  of  September,  1641,  aged 
75  yeares. 

[This  brass  is  also  fixed  on  the  north  wall  of  the  tower.] 

On  a  white  marble  stone.  Arms  at  top.  [Arms — unintel- 
ligible; Crest — An  eagle  standing  over  a  child  in  swaddling 
clothes,  in  a  basket'.] 

In  memory  of  Mr.  John  Latham  (son  of  Henry  Latham,  of  this 
parish,  gent.  ;  by  Elizabeth  his  wife,  daughter  of  Mr.  John  Gyles) ; 
who  departed  this  life,  ye  6th  of  March,  1737.     Aged  25  yeares. 

And  also  of  Mrs.  Martha  Head  (wife  of  Mr.  Benj"  Head,  and 
daughter  of  the  above-mentioned  Mr.  Henry  and  Mrs.  Eliz''  Latham), 
who  died  the  23d  of  June,  1746.     Aged  49  years. 

On  a  black  marble  : — 

Here  ly's  the  body  of  John  Gyles,  late  of  this  place,  Gentleman, 
who  departed  this  hfe,  ye  20th  day  of  October,  a.d.  1721. 

By  his  last  Will  and  Testament  he  gave  ^300  to  the  Church  Alms- 
house of  this  place,  and  the  Interest  of  ;^ioo  To  be  given  for  ever 
half-yearly  in  bread  To  such  poor  of  this  parish  as  shall  not  receive 
collection  from  the  same  : 

This  stone,  and  Inscription  is  here  placed  by  the  direction  of  John 
Smith,  of  Oare  and  Oxenwood  in  ye  County's  of  Berks  and  Wilts,  his 
Executor  in  trust  ;  with  the  consent  of  Elizabeth  Latham,  widow,  Sis- 
ter to  the  deceased. 

On  another — Capitals  : — 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Giles,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Giles,  who 
de""  this  life  June  ye  7th  a.d.  17 14.     In  the  35th  year  of  her  age. 

On  another — Capitals  : — 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Mr.  John  Gyles,  who  deparf"  this  life  y"  9"  of 
A-pri'  1719.  In  the  78th  year  of  his  age.  And  also  the  body  of  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Latham,  widow  of  the  late  Mr.  Henry  Latham,  and  daugh- 
ter of  the  above-named  Mr.  John  Gyles,  who  died  the  ist  Nov.  1755. 
Aged  75. 

On  another  in  the  same  row,  black  marble.  Arms  at  top — [5 
Eagles'  heads  erased,  in  saltire,  impaling  a  chevron  between 
3  cocks.     Crest — An  Eagle's  head.] 

Here  lies  Interred  the  body  of  Thomas  Cowslade,  Gent,  who 
departed  y»  life,  June  y"  12"'  a.d.  1713,  in  ye  59""  year  of  his  age. 

i  The  arms  added  in  brackets  to  Mr.  Hayward's  inscriptions  were  taken  by 
the  late  C.  Long,  Esq.,  about  the  year  1826.  Mr.  Long's  Collection  of  epi- 
taphs in  many  of  the  Berkshire  churches  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mrs. 
Eyston,  of  Hendred  House,  in  this  county. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  473 

On  a  white  marble  cut  diamond-like — Capitals  : — 

Mrs.  Mary  Taplin  died  28  Feb.  1755,  Aged  88. 

On  a  common  stone  : — 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Richard  Pryn,  of  Hales  Owen,  In  the  County 
of  Sallop,  Ironmonger,  who  deceased  the  1 1  day  of  Febr.  ano.  Dni. 
1676,  and  in  the  49th  yeare  of  his  age. 

On  a  black  marble  stone  with  Arms  at  top.  [A  fess  between 
3  pelicans,  impaling  barry  of  four  3  lozenges  counterchanged.] 
Capitals : — 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Katherine,  wife  of  Richard  Cooper,  of 
Greenham  in  the  parish  of  Thatcham,  Esq.,  daught'  of  ye  Reverend 
D'.  Thomas  Pargiter,  ReC  of  Greetworth,  in  Northamp°shire  ;  who 
departed  this  life  in  ye  38  year  of  her  age,  Ocf  ye  16,  Anno 
Dni.  1 716. 

Here  lyes  the  Body  of  the  above-said  Richard  Cooper,  Esq.,  who 
was  Recorder  of  this  Town  near  20  years  ;  and  depar''  ys  life,  ye  27"' 
of  April,  1741,  In  the  63"  year  of  his  age.  Non  potest  male  mori  qui 
bene  vbdt. 

At  the  foot   of  the  altar- rails,   in  white  marble  slab,  cut  in 
diamond  fashion,  with  the  following  inscription  : — 
M.  S.    Aliciae  filis  Guil.  &  Ali.  Sherwin 
E  Civit :  Oxon  :  Virgo  fuit  pia,  pulchra,  modesta  : 
At  nee  pietas  eximia,  nee  forma,  nee  modestia  moram  afferet  indo- 

mitae  morti, 
Sed  florens  astate,  et  plenis  nubilis  annis 
Hie  procul  a  patria  torrentes  febribus  artus 
Deposuit  spasmo  nervos  torquente  cerebri, 
Ne  totam  tamen  interire  credas,  Lector,  adhuc  meliore  parte  vivit  et 

CEelum  aetheriae  revisit  particula  Auras.  Maii  12  A.D.  1688  ^tat  20. 

On  a  black  stone  in  Capitals  ■. — 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  John,  son  of  John  Kimber,  Gent.,  and  Eliza- 
beth his  wife,  of  this  parish  ;  who  dep''  this  life,  March  4,  1752,  aged 
19  years. 

Also  of  their  son  William,  who  died  8  April,  1765. 

In  the  Chancel. — On  a  marble  gravestone  : — 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  John  Edmvnds,  late  Alderman,  and  twice 
Maior  of  this  Towne  of  Newberry,  who  marryed  Elizabeth,  the 
daughter  of  Edward  Goddard,  of  East  Woodhay,  in  the  County  of 
Southton,  Esq.,  he  dyed,  the  26th  day  of  October,  1654,  in  ye  59th 
yeare  of  his  age.  For  whose  pious  Memory  his  loveing  wife  caused 
this  memorial. 


474  History  and  Description  of 

In  the  body  of  the  Church— Capitals  :— 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Mr.  Giles  Townsend,  who  departed  this 
life,  Dec'"  15,  1752,  aged  83  years. 

Also  Mary,  daughter  of  Mr.  Giles  and  Mary  Townsend  ;  who  dep 
this  life,  April  28,  1740,  aged  18  years. 

Also  Mary,  his  wife,  who  died  17  Jan.  1757,  aged  74. 

In  the  north  isle  on  marble  stone,  on  the  floor.  Arms 
at  top  : — 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Edward  Skeate,  Gent.,  who  died  the  15th  of 
August,  1724,  aged  54  years. 

Also  Katherine  Skeate,  wife  of  the  above  Edward  Skeate,  who  died 
6  June,  1744,  aged  73  years. 

Likewise  Katherine  White,  daughter  of  the  above  Edward  and 
Katherine  Skeate  ;  who  died  6  Aug"  1770,  aged  76. 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Mr.  John  Hore,  who  departed  this  life,  the 
22  of  February,  A.D.  1721  ;  aged  76  years. 

On  another  stone  by  the  former : — 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Francis  Coxhead.  By  will  gave  an  yearly 
maintenance  to  two  poor  men  ;  he  died,  the  16  day  of  Septem.,  in  ye 
85  year  of  his  age,  1692. 

On  two  others,  marble  : — • 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Slocock,  wife  of  Mr.  Sam'  Slo- 
cock;  she  died  Nov'  25,  1749,  aged  33. 

Also  the  body  of  Samuel  Slocock,  Gent,  who  died  23  January,  1760, 
aged  50  years. 

The  terrestrial  part  of  Naomi,  wife  of  Mr.  Samuel  Slocock,  lys  here 
sleeping,  and  was  buried  the  loth  of  November,  A.D.  1700,  aged  43 
years. 

In  memory  of  Samuel  Slocock,  Gent. ;  who  departed  this  life 
August  ye  27""  A.D.  1707,  aged  67. 

Joseph  their  youngest  son  Obiit  January  the  2nd,  A.  Dom.  1707, 
^tat  12. 

Naomi,  their  Grand-daughter  by  Sam'  their  eldest  Son  and  Mary 
his  wife,  Obiit  Nov.  26,  Anno  Domini  1720,  ^Etat  primo. 

Also  the  body  of  Samuel  Slocock,  Gent.,  Son  of  the  above  Samuel 
and  Naomi  Slocock;  who  departed  this  life  the  13""  of  Dec*",  1748, 
Aged  59. 

At  the  bottom  of  the  Church  near  the  belfry.  Arms  at  top 
[A  fess  charged  with  a  lion  passant,  between  3  fire-balls],  on 
a  marble  stone  : — 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Jonathan  Lipyeatt,  Gent.,  Surgeon  & 
Apothecary.    He  departed  this  life,  Nov'  the  8''',  1742,  Aged  56  years. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  475 

Here  also  lyeth  the  body  of  Sarah  his  wife,  who  departed  this  life 
the  29"'  of  June,  1759,  Aged  70  years. 

In  the  old  Vestry. — On  a  white  marble  stone,  diamond  cut, 
in  Capitals  : — 

Here  lieth  the  body  of  Mr.  Peter  Ely,  who  dep""  this  life,  25  Nov' 
I7S3,  Aged  85. 

On  a  small  white  marble  stone,  diamond  cut : — 
Gab'  Still,  Gent.,  died  13  Sep.  1751,  aged  31. 

On  a  common  stone  (at  the  bottom  of  the  Church) : — 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Levi  Smith. 

Here  also  lies  interred  the  body  of  Mrs.  Rebecca  Woodeson, 
Grand-daughter  of  the  said  Levi  Smith,  who  departed  this  life  ye 
ij""  day  of  May,  1769,  in  the  84"'  year  of  her  age  :  she  married 
Leonard  Woodeson,  late  of  his  Majesty's  board  of  works,  Esq., 
deceased,  whom  she  surviv'd  36  years  :  and  by  whom  she  had 
several  children ;  of  which  4  Sons  surviv'd  her. 

On  a  marble  stone,  capitals,  next  the  former  : — 

In  memory  of  William  Woodroffe,  Plumber,  who  died  17  Nov"^, 
1759,  aged  61  years. 
And  also  of  Eleanor  his  Wife  who  died  6  Sep",  1763,  aged  62  years. 
Also  of  Their  Children. 

In  the  north  aisle. — Capitals,  on  a  stone  on  the  floor : — 

In  memory  of  Mr.  Francis  Batt,  who  died  3  Sep"^,  1744,  aged  36 
years. 

Also  Mary,  daughter  of  the  above-named  and  Mary  his  wife,  died 
17  Oct.  1748,  aged  15  years. 

In  the  south  aisle  : — 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  William  Dale,  Gent.,  who  died  ye  7""  day  of 
March,  A.D.  1704,  aged  49  years. 

On  a  small  stone  : — 

Here  lyeth  the  body  of  Samuel  Mince,  Surgeon,  who  departed  this 
life  June  ye  a'',  1730,  aged  46  years. 

On  a  handsome  monument  in  the  Chancel,  ornamented  with 
Corinthian  columns,  and  surmounted  by  a  shield,  bearing  [Ar- 
gent, 5  Eagles'  heads  erased,  in  saltire,  gules.  Crest — An 
Eagle's  head  erased,  gules]. 


476  History  and  Description  of 

To  perpetuate  the  Memory  of  Richard  Cowslade,  Gent.,  A  dutiful 
Son  of  the  Reform'd  Church  of  England  :  A  beneficent  Son  of  this 
Parochial  Church,  wherein  His  Body  lies  now  interr'd  And  once  a 
worthy  Member  of  this  Corporation.  His  benefactions  were  An 
Organ  for  the  more  decent  and  Solemn  Performance  of  Divine 
Public  Worship  :  The  gallery  in  which  it  is  placed  :  A  stipend  of 
thirty  Pounds  a  Year  for  a  skilful  Organist,  An  Income  of  Five 
Pounds  a  Year  to  repair  the  Organ,  Another  sum  of  Five  Pounds 
a  Year  to  support  the  Dignity  of  the  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Borough : 
And  a  Perpetual  Revenue  of  Twenty  six  Pounds  a  Year  For  the 
cloathing  Ten  poor  Children  And  Instructing  them  in  the  principles 
of  the  Christian  Religion  as  contain'd  in  the  Church  Catechism,  and 
in  the  Arts  of  Writing  and  Arithmetick  In  order  to  make  them  use- 
ful in  their  generation.  These  instances  of  his  Zeal  for  God's  Glory 
and  the  Good  of  Mankind  Were  settl'd  by  him  in  his  life-time,  on  the 
13th  of  May  and  on  the  27th  June,  1715.  He  depart'd  this  life  on  the 
31st  January,  1718,  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age.  This  Monument  was 
Erected  by  his  Trustees,  In  Testimony  of  their  Respect  to  him,  And 
an  encouragement  to  Others,  to  be  imitators  of  his  Pious  Example. 
Pax  Boni  Viri  Manibus.  Thomas  Stockwell,  Edward  Stuart,  Joseph 
Head,  Oliver  Slocock,  John  Beale,  William  Townsend,  Trustees. 

On  a  white  marble  tablet : — [Crest — the  Holy  Lamb.  Arms 
— Per  fess  indented  6  fleurs-de-lys,  counterchanged  3  and  3]. 

H.  S.  E.     lohannes  Hinton,  A.M. 


Ecclesise 


Anglicanas  Presbyter, 

Sarisburienis  Prasbendarius 

Newberiensis  &     )  „ 
r.,  .  \  Rector. 

Vbhawensis  j 


Qui  in  ^de  X"  apud  Oxonienses  Ea  Hausit  Doctrine  &  Religionis 
Semina,  Quae  per  htec  prascipu^  loca  Uberrima  &  felicissimfe  Sparsit 
Fuit  enim  Fidei  &  Doctrinae  Catholics  apprim^  tenax  In  eidem  pro- 
paganda diligens  &  Indefessus.  In  Pastorali  suo  Officio  ita  Fideliter 
se  gessit  Ut  omnibus,  quoad  potuit,  prodesset,  Ita  prudenter,  ut  dis- 
pliceret  Nemini.  Ecclesias  Anglicanae  Legibus  firmiter  devotus  Ab 
lis  interea  qui  alia,  infehciter,  insistebant  via,  Non  Improbatus.  Non 
Illaudatus  Parochial!  huic  Curas  40  &  ultra  annos  Sedulo  &  con- 
stanter  invigilavit,  Ubi  laboribus  potius,  quam  senio  confectus  Pie 
occubuit  Anno  Domini  1720  ^tatis  sua  77. 

Felix  ille  Servus  quern  Dominus  ita  facientem  inveniet. 

In  eodem  tumulo  conduntur  Ossa  Johannas,  Uxoris  ejus  Amats 
ffiqufe  atq.  amantissims,  Edvardi  &  Annae  Martin  De  Witney  in 
Comitatu  Oxon  Filia;  Unic£E  Qua  obiit  Anno  Domini  1712,  ^tatis 
suje  62. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  i^'j'j 

On  a  brass  plate,  over  the  Vestry  door,  in  capitals  : — 

Here  lye  the  remains  of  Mr.  Thomas  Pearce,  deposited  in  this 
place,  Octob.  the  Sth,  167 1,  who  by  his  last  Will  gave  Four  hundred 
pounds  to  provide  maintenance  for  two  poor  aged  weavers,  and  for 
the  Relief  of  Twenty  other  Poor  Weavers,  or  Weavers'  Widows. 
His  Departure  was  in  the  69th  year  of  his  age.  Go  and  doe  thou 
likewise.     Luke  10 — 37. 

Newbury  Churchyard. — Against  the  Church,  on  a  plain  stone, 
is  the  following  inscription  : — 

To  the  Memory  of  Mr.  Thos.  Stockwell,  who  exchanged  this  life  for 
a  better,  the  20  day  of  Feb'^,  1741,  aged  84  years.  He  was  a  good 
man  and  a  just,  courteous  and  benevolent  to  all,  a  Charitable  Bene- 
factor to  the  poor  ;  and  in  all  the  duties  of  a  Christian  has  left  us 
a  pattern  worthy  of  imitation.     Reader,  go  thou,  do  likewise  ! 

Here  also  lieth  his  first  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  Stockwell ;  and  also  his 
second  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  Stockwell,  who  died  Nov'  ye  i6,  1747,  aged 
63  years :  whose  life  was  an  eminent  example  of  piety,  and  charity. 

End  of  the  Epitaphs  extracted  from  Mr.  Hayward's  MS. 

Inscriptions  on  Monuments  and  Gravestones  in  the 
Church,  copied  previous  to  the  restoration  of  the  building 
in  1865,  and  which  do  not  appear  in  the  foregoing  lists. 

As  these  Memorials  are  very  numerous,  the  date  of  the 
death  and  the  age  of  the  deceased  only  wrill  be  given, 
avoiding  the  stereotyped  formulae,  "  Here  lies,"  "  Sacred 
to  the  memory,"  &c.  At  the  same  time,  the  more  interest- 
ing epitaphs  are  printed  in  extenso. 

Barber,  Thomas,  d.  19  April,  1825,  a.  86. 

Barnard,  Benjamin,  Banker,  d.  9  Jan.  1779,  a.  46. 

Barnard,  Hannah,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  3  Dec.  1807,  a.  63. 

Barnard,  Samuel,  son  of  the  above,  d.  28  Jan.  1827,  a.  49. 

Barnes,  John,  d.  17  Mar.  1827,  a.  62. 

Barnes,   Walter  John,  d.   24  June,  1848,  a.   14;    and  Laura 

Elizabeth,  d.  12  Aug.  1848,  a.   12,  children  of  George  and 

Harriett  Barnes. 
Binney,  Rev.  Hibbert,  D.C.L.,  Rector  of  Newbury,  d.  6  June, 

1857,  a.  64;  and  his  second  son  John  Thomas  Binney,  d.  19 

Feb.  1848,  a.  26. 


478  History  and  Description  of 

Blandy,  Mary,  wife  of  John  Blandy,  d.  5  July,  i733.  a.  50. 
Blandy,  Richard,   son  of  John  and  Mary  Blandy,  d.   13  Mar. 

1731-2,  a.  21. 
BoDMAN,  William,  d.  22  Aug.  1790,  a.  63. 
BoDMAN,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  14  Jan.  1794,  a.  64. 
BoDMAN,  Mary,  wife  of  James  Bodman,  d.  27  Oct.  1810,  a.  40. 
BuDD,  Jane,  wife  of  Richard  Budd,  d.   26  July,    1751,  a.   32. 

Arms — Argent,  5  fleurs-de-lys  azure  in  saltire. 
Budd,  Richard,  d.  10  Mar.  1768,  a.  53. 
BuLKELEY,  or  Buckley,  Maria,  d.  27  May,  1803,  a.  5. 
Brown,  Guy,  d.  1788. 

Brown,  Elizabeth  Guy,  d.  19  Oct.  1826,  a.  50. 
Brown,  William,  d.  3  June,  1815,  a.  54. 
Bull,  Charles  Atlee,  d.  8  May,  1828,  a.  25. 
Bunny,  Sarah,  d.  17  Oct.  1767,  a.  67. 
Bunny,  Blandy  Buck,  d.  22  Feb.  1777,  a.  84. 
Bunny,  Mary,  d.  5  Nov.  1796,  a.  70. 
Bunny,  Brice,  Banker,  brother  of  the  above-named  Mary  Bunny, 

d.  12  Oct.  1819,  a.  80. 
Bunny,  Alice,  niece  of  above,  d.  2  Dec.  1838,  a.  82. 
Bunny,  Clara,  d.  16  Nov.  1835,  a.  46. 
Bunny,  Jere,  husband  of  above,  d.  29  Mar.  1854,  a.  65. 
Clarke,  John,  of  Preshute,  Wilts,  d.  16  Nov.  1803,  a.  53. 
Clarke,  Hannah,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  21  June,  1847,  ^-  ^4- 
Davis,  Eleanora,  d.  8  May,  181 1,  a.  17. 
E:  G:  M:  S:  1817. 
Fish,  Mary,  dau.  of  Gabriel  Fish. 
FuRNELL,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Furnell,  d.  5  Feb.   1767,  a. 

S3- 

Furnell,  Joseph,  d.  24  July,  1774,  a.  36.  This  tablet  also  com- 
memorates four  other  children  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Furnell. 

Geree,  Rev.  John,  LL.B.,  Fellow  of  Winchester  Coll.,  d.  7  Jan. 
1776,  a.  33. 

GoLDiNG,  John. 

Greenling,  Sarah  Floyer,  d.  10  April,  1781,  a.  6. 

Haskins,  John,  d.  19  Ap.  1816,  a.  72. 

Haskins,  Mary,  Sister  of  the  above,  d.  6  Jan.  1816,  a.  78. 

Haskins,  Rosa  Ann,  Widow  of  John  Haskins,  d.  12  June,  1831, 
a.  80. 

Hawkins,  Mrs.  Mary,  d.  17  Feb.  1823,  a.  74. 

Hawkins,  Caleb,  d.  15  Sept.  1823,  a.  73. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  479 

On  a  lozenge-shape  marble  tablet,  recently  recovered,  and 
placed  on  the  south  wall  of  the  Tower,  in  capitals  : — 

Sara  Head.  Pije.  Probae.  Castas.  Vixit.  Annis.  LXXXIV.  Decessit. 
Ann.  Christi.  M  DCCXCIV.  T.  Penrose.  Pronepos.  Femina.  Optimae. 
Et.  De.  Se.  Bene.  Merits.  Grato.  Animo.  Fecit. 

Hickman,  Martha,  wife  of  John  Fredk.   Hickman,  d.   2    Dec. 

1847,  a.  32. 
Hicks,  Thomas,  of  Cope  Hall,  d.  6  Oct.  1817,  a.  65. 
HoPKiNSON,  Arabella,  dau.  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth  Hopkinson, 

d.  8  Nov.  1815,  a.  14. 

On  a  white  marble  tablet,  in  the  Chantry  Chapel : — 
Near  this  Place  are  deposited  the  remains  of  John  Kimber,  Senior 
Alderman  of  this  Borough,  Who  died  the  27th  of  March,  1793,  in  the 
85th  year  of  his  age,  And  who  by  his  Will  bequeathed  to  Trustees 
Almost  the  whole  of  his  personal  Estate  For  the  Erection  and  En- 
dowment of  Alms  Houses,  for  Six  Men  and  Six  Women,  Inhabitants 
and  Parishioners  of  this  Town  ;  Allowing  weekly  to  each  five  Shilings, 
And  annually  Cloaths  and  Fuel :  Also  for  cloathing  and  educating 
annually  Ten  poor  Boys  of  this  Town,  and  apprenticing  them  :  Like- 
wise For  encreasing  the  weekly  Allowance  of  twenty-eight  other  Alms 
persons  of  this  Town,  And  for  other  Charitable  purposes,  for  the 
Benefit  of  the  poor  of  this  Parish. 

Kimber,  G.,  d.  19  Dec.  1796,  a.  68. 
Kimber,  Sarah,  d.  18  Dec.  1805. 
King,  William,  d.  5  June,  1768,  a.  74. 
King,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  9  July,  i  776,  a.  80. 
King,  John,  d.  24  Dec.  1814,  a.  61. 
Knock,  Charles,  d.  14  Nov.  1789,  a.  61. 
Langford,  John,  d.  25  Aug.  1836,  a.  49. 

Lees,  Charles,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Catherine  Lees,  d.  24  Ap. 
1777,  a.  4. 

On  a  mural  tablet,  now  fixed  to  the  south  wall  of  the  Tower  : — 

Erected  by  the  Officers  of  the  15th,  or  King's  Regiment  of  Light 
Dragoons,  as  a  testimony  of  their  regard  to  the  Memory  of  James 
Leishman,  late  Quarter  Master  of  the  above  Regiment,  who  departed 
this  life  February  i6th,  1799,  Aged  69  years,  44  of  which  he  zealously 
spent  in  his  Majesty's  service,  during  which  period  he  was  39  years 
Quarter  Master. 

Pause  Friend  awhile,  and  shed  a  generous  Tear, 
For  one  whose  gallant  corse  lies  mouldering  here. 
A  Truer  Soldier  to  his  King  and  Laws 
Ne'er  braved  the  Field,  nor  Fought  in  Honor's  cause. 


480  History  and  Description  of 

Of  principles  most  just,  and  noble  mind  ; 
By  all  thought  well  of,  to  his  Friends  most  kind. 
In  civil  life,  speak  more  of  him  who  can  ; 
He  died  (as  he  had  lived)  an  Honest  Man. 

Leishman,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Quarter-master  Leishman,  d.   13 

June,  1816,  a.  76. 
Lovelock,  Edward,  d.  24  Nov.  1730,  a.  65. 
Mills,  William,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Mills,  died  at  Sea, 

II  June,  1826,  a.  29. 

On  a  marble  tablet,  on  the  north  wall  of  the  Tower  : — 

Sacred  to  the  Memory  of  William  Norris  of  this  Parish,  Sergeant- 
Major  of  H.  M.  96th  Regiment,  who  died  of  Asiatic  Cholera  off  the 
Sandheads,  Calcutta,  on  the  3rd  March,  1851,  aged  48  years  and  4 
months.  Whilst  on  his  return  to  his  native  land  After  26  years  of  truly 
meritorious  service.  And  for  which  He  had  been  rewarded  by  his 
Queen  with  the  highest  honours  That  a  non-commissioned  officer  can 
obtain. 

The  officers  of  the  96th  Regiment,  in  high  esteem  of  his  merits  and 
in  great  respect  for  his  memory,  erect  this  tablet. 

On  a  white  marble  tablet : — ■ 

Heic  juxta  Sacrum  Somnum  dormit  Thomas  Penrose,  A.M.  (Inter 
Cornubienses  suos  Ingenua  stirpe  oriundus)  Hujus  Paroecias,  per 
annos  fere  xxiv.  Pastor  indefessus.  Is  certe  erat  Ingenio,  tarn  acri  & 
exculto,  Ut  summos,  in  ecclesii,  Honores  merito  ambisset  Ea  vero 
modestii  Ut  Minimis  contentus  viveret,  Maximis  haud  impar.  In 
Concionando,  Ore  tarn  suavi  ac  mellito,  Ut,  facile,  audientium  Animos 
Ad  Se  Pertraheret,  etiam  invitos.  Interea  Usque  adeo  temperate  se 
gessit  Ut  per  diem,  emori  videretur.  Ab  omni  vero  ostentus  Invidia 
Tam  longe  remotus  Ut  sanctissimam  Vits  Disciplinam  Vicissim 
commendaret  Animus  hilaris  et  facetus.  Diem  obiit  suum  Ap:  xx. 
MDCCLXIX.  Annos  Natus  LIII.  Abi  quisquis  es  Quem  Loci  Studium 
hue  forsan  adduxerit  Et  Mori  ne  dicas  Bonos. 

Pope,  John,  d.  20  July,  1728,  a  40. 

Reeves,  Henry,  son  of  Henry  and  Esther  Reeves,  d.   19  Nov. 

1770,  a.  26  mos. 
Reeves,  Henry,  d.  24  June,  1816,  a.  79. 

RoAKE,  Hannah,  wife  of  Jacob  Roake,  d.  27  Mar.  1827,  a.  27. 
RoAKE,  Jacob,  d.  21  Nov.  1832,  a.  43. 
RoE,  Rev.  James,  M.A.,  Rector  of  Newbury  for  42  years,  d. 

9  July,  1838,  a.  80. 
RoE,  Sophia,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  16  July,  1833,  a.  74. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  481 

Sainsbury,  Sally,  d.  29  June,  1810,  a.  64. 
Sainsbury,  Henry,  d.  6  July,  1828,  a.  83. 

S.  M.  Roberti  Scott,  M.D.  pro  aatate  peritissimi.  Qui  hie  et  circum- 
circa  Medicinam  exercuit  fauste,  placide,  et  perliberaliter,  Pauperibus 
benefaciendo,  Eegrosque  sublevando,  si  non  ditior,  ac  doctior  tamen, 
melior  et  indies  exercitatior,  ad  bene  de  multis  promerendum.  Quod 
probe  actum  revera,  aut  de  industrii,  religiose  et  humanius,  Hoc  ei 
superest,  lucrum  perenne,  auro  pretiosius.  Cetera  dissipabilia,  debita 
destinaque  morti  hie  juxta  jacent.  At  vigent  in  aeternum  sua  cuique 
Bonitas,  et  Beneficientia ;  Nee  sunt  peritura  Ingenium  felix  summo- 
pere  excultum,  Peetusve  generoso  incoctum  honesto.  Gratiosa  haec 
adeo  Verecundia  effecit  gratiosiora,  ut  tot  habuerit  Amicos,  quot 
Familiares,  Qu^is  consuetudine  plus  plusque  in  majus  innotuit.  His 
omnibus  longfe  lat^que  vixit  dilectus,  Obiitque  desideratissimus  ;  cum 
tussis  impetui  hsemorrhagia  superveniens  vim  vita  attulit  xi.  C. 
Februarii  A.D.  1807.  aet.  31.  Longinquae  in  Scotia,  Parens,  et  Cog- 
natas,  Amore  plenae,  et  Moestitia,  longoque  distantes  intervallo,  Fra- 
terni  necessitudine  ex  animis  conjuncti,  Amicique  Neuburienses 
amicissimi,  Ingentes,  bene  merenti,  H.  M.  P.  P. 

Sheldon,    Elizabeth   Catherine   Maria,   eldest   dau.   of  Ralph 

Sheldon,  ofWeston,  Warwickshire,  d.  2  Nov.  1817,  a.  36 
Skinner,  John,  d.  Mar.  19,  1791,  a.  71. 
Skinner,  Sarah,  d.  Mar.  25th,  1799,  a.  72. 
Slocock,  Caroline,  dau.  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Slocock,  d.  10  Feb. 

1809,  a.  27. 
Slocock,  Martha,  wife  of  Samuel  Slocock,  d.    23   Jan.   1780, 

a.  69. 

Still,  Mary,  dau.  of  Gabriel  and  Mary  Still,  d. 17 17. 

TowNSEND,  John,  Senior  Alderman  of  this  Borough,  d.  5  June, 

1789,  a  63. 
TowNSEND,  John,  Alderman  of  this  Borough,  d.  6  Mar.  1795, 

a.  47. 
TowNSEND,  Emma,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  27  June,  1811,  a,  63. 

This  tablet  is  also  inscribed  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Mary 

Smith,  sister  of  John  Townsend,  d.  Feb.   15,   1803,  a.   48. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wheeler,  another  sister,  d.  Aug. '25,  1803,  a.  54. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Compton,  dau.  of  Mrs.  Wheeler,  and  wife  of 

Richard  Compton,  d.  20  March,  1806,  a.  27. 
Townsend,  John,  d.  14  Feb.  181 1,  a.  49. 
TwiTCHEN,  William,  d.  28  Jan.  r8o3,  a.  33. 
Twitchen,  William,  son  of  above,  d.  20  May,  1823,  a.  36. 
TwiTCHEN,  Sarah,  wife  of  William  Twitchen,  d.  23  Sept.  1831. 

I  i 


482  History  and  Description  of 

TwiTCHEN,  John,  son  of  William  Twitchen,  sen.,  d.  30  Nov.  1829, 

a.  39. 
Warner,  Mary,  d.  20  May,  1795. 
West,  John,  d.  4  May,  1647. 

On  a  marble  tablet  formerly  placed  against  the  north  wall  of 
the  Chancel : — 

In  the  north  aisle  of  this  Church  are  deposited  the  remains  of  Mr. 
WiUiam  Withers  of  this  town,  Banker,  who  died  the  9th  of  July,  1788, 
aged  59  years.  Also  of  Mrs.  Hannah  Withers  wife  of  the  above  Mr. 
Wilham  Withers,  who  died  the  27th  of  December,  1781,  aged  48. 

Under  an  Urn  of  white  marble,  a  shield  bearing — Arg.  a 
chevron  gules,  between  3  crescents. 

To  the  memory  of  Ann  the  wife  of  Edward  Withers,  who  died  July 
the  2nd,  1769,  aged  72  years.  Also  of  Edward  Withers,  who  died 
August  the  13th,  1770,  aged  69  years. 

WoODROFFE,    Mary,  dau.    of  William  and  Eleanor  Woodroffe, 

d.  18  Nov.  1783,  a.  55. 
Wright,  Charlotte,  d.  6  Jan.  1851,  a.  67. 

The  following  Hatchments  were  formerly  affixed  to  the 
wall  of  the  south  aisle : — 

I.  Townsend,  impaling  arg.,  a  fess  engr.  sa.,  charged  with 
a  mullet  or,  betw.  three  escallops  of  the  second.  Crest.— h.  stag 
trippant  sa. 

II.  Arg.,  a  fess  engr.  sa.,  charged  with  a  mullet  or,  betw.  three 
escallops  of  the  second,  impaling  sa.,  a  lion  ramp,  crowned, 
between  three  crosses  crosslets  fitchde  or,  for  King,  Crest. — 
A  demi-lion  ramp.  arg.  holding  an  escallop  sa. 

III.  Quarterly :  ist  and  4th,  arg.,  three  piles,  one  issuing  from 
the  chief  between  two  others  issuing  from  the  base  sa.  for 
(?  Hulse) ;  2nd  and  3rd,  per  saltire  sa.  and  ermine,  a  Hon 
ramp,  or,  for  (?  Grafton) :  impaling  barry  of  six  or  and  az., 
an  eagle  displayed  of  the  first  (?  coat  of  Waldrond).  Crest. — 
A  stag's  head  arg.,  betw.  the  horns  a  sun  or. 

IV.  Quarterly:  ist  and  4th  Erm.,  a  fess  nebulee  gu.  ;  on 
a  canton  of  the  last  a  ducal  crown  or;  2nd  and  3rd,  per  saltire 
sa.  and  ermine,  a  lion  ramp.  or. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  483 

Old  Churchyard. 

Inscriptions  on  Monuments  and  Gravestones,  copied 
before  the  stones  were  laid  down  and  the  Churchyard 
levelled. 

Adey,  Joseph,  d.  16  Dec.  1855,  a.  43. 

Adnams,  Sarah,  d.  29  Mar.  1789,  a.  59. 

Arrowsmith,  Mary,  d.  26  Feb.  1833,  a.  80. 

Arrowsmith,  David,  husband  of  the  above,  d.  12  May,  1833, 

a.  72. 
Ayres,  William,  d.  7  Apl.  1850,  a.  62. 
Ayres,  Mary  Elizabeth,  first  wife  of  the  above,  d.  13  June,  1837, 

a.  40. 
Ayres,  Elizabeth  Ann,  second  wife  of  the  above  William  Ayres. 

d.  27  Feb.  1858,  a.  71. 
Ayres,  Henry,  son  of  William  and  Mary  Elizabeth  Ayres,  d. 

20  May,  1826,  a.  5  years  and  5  months. 
Barnard,  Joseph,  d.  12  Nov.  1831,  a.  63. 
Batten,  Richard,  d.  10  March,  1822,  a.  5  years  and  4  months. 
Bennett,  John,  d.  20  April,  1825,  a.  64. 
BiNNEY,  Rev.  Hibbert,  D.C.L.,  d.  6  June,  1857,  a.  64. 
Blandy,  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  and  Ann  Blandy,  d.  18  Oct. 

1770,  a.  14. 
Blandy,  Ann,  wife   of  Thomas   Blandy,  d.   23  March,    1773, 

a.  60. 
Blandy,  Thomas,  Gent,  d.  8  Jan.  1788,  a.  76. 
Burgess,  Jane,  d.  6  July,  18 19. 
BuRGis,  Elizabeth,  d.   16  Dec.  1809,  a.  55  ;  also  Maria,  wife  of 

George   Knight,  of  Reading,   sister  of  Elizabeth  Burgis,  d. 

2  Sept.  1825,  a.  61. 
Burgis,  Edward,  d.  22  July,  1797,  a.  66. 
Burnett,  William,  d.  18  Nov.  1834,  a.  62. 
Burnett,  Elizabeth,  widow  of  the   above,  d.   25   Aug.    1867, 

a.  93. 
Burnett,  Charles,  son  of  the  above,  d.  24  Jan.  1872,  a.  63. 
Burnett,  John,  d.  8  Sept.  1840,  a.  43. 
Butler,  James,  d.  27  Feb.  1750,  a.  72. 
Butler,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  3  July,  1763,  a.  82. 
Butler,  James,  d.  11  Feb.  1795,  a.  52. 
Butler,  Ann,  widow  of  the  above  James  Butler,  d.  i  Feb.  1828, 

a.  75- 

I  i  2 


484  History  and  Description  of 

Childs,  Sarah,  wife  of  John  Childs,  d.  12  June,  1821,  a.  55. 

Clark,  Joseph,  d.  15  June,  1798,  a.  44. 

Clark,  Ann,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  27  May,  1813,  a.  65. 

Clinch,  WilHam,  d.  18  Nov.  1790,  a.  51. 

CoTTERELL,  William,  son  of  George  and  Mary  Ann  Cotterell,  d. 

4  Nov.  1842,  a.  4  years  and  8  months. 
Cotterell,   Robert   Lowden,   son  of  George   and  Mary  Ann 

Cotterell,  d.  21  Nov.  1842,  a.  6  years  and  9  months. 
Cripps,  Harriett,  d.  29  July,  1816,  a.  33. 
Criswick,   Ann,   daughter   of  James   and   Maria   Criswick,   d. 

3  Jan.  18 16,  a.  16  months. 
Davis,  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  William  H.  Davis,  d.  11  June,  1824, 

a.  29. 
Dell,    Hannah,    d.    22    Dec.    1823,   a.    27,   daughter   of  Jane 

Burgess. 
Du  Pre,  Rev.  Wm.,  B.A.,  d.  3  Aug.  1826,  a.  62. 
Edwards,  Simon,  Officer  of  Excise,  d.  12  Dec.  1787,  a.  43. 
Gibes,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Gibbs,  d.  29  Dec.  1807,  a.  54. 
GiBBS,  Martha,  d.  2  May,  1802,  a.  20. 
Gibbs,  Elizabeth,  d.  29  Dec.  1805,  a.  24. 
GiEBs,  John,  d.  24  Nov.  1831,  a.  78. 

Gilder,  Charlotte,  wife  of  Robert  Gilder,  d.  6  April,  1831,  a.  63. 
Gilder,  Robert,  d.  31  Oct.  1842,  at  an  advanced  age. 
Green,  Rose  Ann,  daughter  of  Job  and  Ann  Wells,  d.  28  Nov. 

1855,  a.  49. 
Grigg,  Samuel,  d.  28  Aug.  1808,  a.  54. 
Grigg,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  28  Sept.  1799,  a.  47. 
Grigg,  John,  d.  4  April,  1829,  a.  43. 
Grigg,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  the  abovef  d.  8  Oct.  1818,  a.  25. 
Grigg,  Mary,  daughter  of  the  above  John  and  Elizabeth  Grigg, 

born  16  March,  1812,  d.  13  May,  1845. 
Grigg,  George,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Grigg,  d.  at  Bristol, 

15  Aug.  1802,  a.  22. 
Grigg,  William,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Grigg,  d.  22  March, 
18  7,  a.  20. 

Grigg,  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Grigg,  d.  27  April, 

1807,  a.  26. 
Hall,  Mary,  wife  of  John  Hall,  d.  i  Oct.  1807,  a.  37. 
Hammond,  William,  d.  18  Oct.  1825,  a.  74. 
Hammond,  Elizabeth,  widow  of  the  above,  d.   31   Jan.   1847, 

a.  94. 


the  preseiit  Parish  Church.  485 

Harding,  Joseph,  d.  7  June,  1793,  a.  65. 

Harding,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  4  Dec.  1770,  a.  42. 

Harrison,  Mary,  widow  of  Richard  Harrison,  d.  14  Dec.  1856, 

a.  72. 
Harrison,  Richard,  d.  16  March,  1848,  a.  62. 
Harrison,  Francis,  d.  25  April,  1822,  a.  57. 
Harrison,    Hannah,   wife    of  the    above,    d.    10   Jan.    1840, 

a.  67. 
Harrison,  Joseph,  infant  son  of  the  above,  d.  10  Sept.  1809, 

a.  8  months. 
Harrison,  George,  son  of  Francis  and  Hannah  Harrison,  d. 

20  Aug.  1843,  a.  38. 
Hasker,  John,  d.  4  Feb.  1780,  a.  79. 
Hasker,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  23  Dec.  1771,  a.  73. 
Haskins,  Edward  Pointer,  d.  22  Aug.  1841,  a.  51.  * 

Hawkins,  John,  d.  18  April,  1836,  a.  69. 
Hawkins,  Thomas  John,  d.  23  Jan.  1841,  a.  30.     Drowned  in 

the  Isis. 
Hawkins,  Amy  Emma,  wife  of  John  Hawkins,  d.  28  Oct.  1846, 

a.  75- 
Hawkins,  Ann,  d.  14  Jan.  1809,  a.  17. 
Hawkins,  Benjamin,  d.  10  July,  1825,  a.  70. 
Hawkins,  Ann,  d.  18  Dec.  1832,  a.  73. 
Havden,  Thomas,  d.  20  Oct  1844,  a.  75. 
Hayden,  Hannah,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  10  Jan.  1840,  a.  79. 
Head,  Martha,  d.  19  April,  1809,  a.  91. 
Hervey,  Sarah,  wife  of  James  Hervey,  of  Crayford,  Kent,  d. 

8  Sept.  1815,  a.  33. 
HOLDWAY,  Francis,  d.  16  May,  1836,  a.  77. 
Holmes,  WiUiam,  formerly  of  Newgate-street,  London,  d.  22  Dec. 

1830,  a.  58. 
HoPSON,  William,  d.,27  Jan.  1811,  a.  44. 
Horner,  Mary,  d.  11  Sept.  1805,  a.  32. 
Horner,  Mary  Ann,  d.  27  Jan.  1824,  a.  23. 
Hughes,  Ann,  d.  10  March,  1826,  a.  31. 
Jackson,  Ann,  wife  of  John  Jackson,  d.  14  June,  t8io,  a.  78. 
Jackson,  James,  son  of  the  above,  d.  26  June,  1817,  a.  42. 
Jackson,  Sarah,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  14  Sep.  1847,  a.  64. 
Jackson,  Sabrina,  daughter  of  the  above  Jas.  and  Sar.  Jackson, 

d.  26  Nov.  1814,  a.  8  months. 
Jackson,  Henry,  d.  4  Jan.  1831,  a.  38. 


485  History  and  Description  of 

Jackson,  Louisa,  daughter  of  Jas.  and  Maria  Jackson,  d.  22  Dec. 

1842,  a.  2. 
Jackson,    Philip    Henry,    son   of  Jas.    and   Maria  Jackson,  d. 

5  Dec.  1846,  a.  4. 

Jackson,   Maria   Elizabeth,   wife   of  Jas.    Porteus   Jackson,   d. 

17  Oct.  1848,  a.  31. 

Keens,  Joseph,  d.  8  March,  1800,  a.  48. 
Keens,  Mary,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  3  Sept.  1801,  a.  36. 
King,  John,  son  of  John  and  Mary  King,  d.  i  Jan.  1775,  a.  29. 
King,  Bos  well,  son  of  John  and  Ann  King,  d.  20  Feb.  1775,  a. 

18  months. 

King,  Joseph,  d.  21.  Dec.  1815,  a.  60. 

Knight,  Stephen,  d.  27  Oct.  1833,  a.  40. 

Langton,  Benjamin,  d.  10  Sept.  1811,  a.  40. 

Leonard,    Henry,    son    of   Thomas    and    Mary    Leonard,    d. 

12  April,  1844,  a.  19. 
Leonard,  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Martha 

Leonard,  d.  19  July,  1846,  a.  10  months. 
Leonard,    Ehzabeth    Martha,    wife    of   Thomas    Leonard,    d. 

19  May,  1850,  a.  33. 

Leonard,  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Leonard,  sen.,  d.  5  June,  T857, 

a.  65. 
Leonard,  Thomas,  sen.,  d.  22  Jan.  1868,  a.  74. 
Liddiard,  William,  d.  13  July,  1824,  a.  61. 
Machin,  Mary,  wife  of  John  Machin,  d.  25  Jan.  1842,  a.  30. 
Machin,  John,  son  of  the  above,  d.  15  Jan.  1843,  a.  2  years  and 

6  months. 

Martin,  Rebekah,  widow  of  William  Martin,  of  Stratford,  Essex, 

d.  17  May,  1840,  a.  64. 
Martin,  William,  son  of  John  and  Rebekah  Martin,  d.  16  Dec. 

1845,  a  41. 
Martin,  Mary,  wife  of  John  Martin,  d.  26  March,  1824,  a.  33. 
Morecraft,  Joseph,  d.  i  April,  1825,  a.  18. 
Morecraft,  Thomas,  d.  n  Dec.  1825,  a.  18  months. 
MoRRELL,  Mrs.  Frances,  d.  11  Aug.  1785,  a.  66. 
Morris,  Ann,  wife  of  William  Morris,  d.  19  April,  1781,  a.  ^t,. 
Morris,  Benjamin,  d.  20  Dec.  1791,  a.  68. 
Morris,    Ehzabeth,    mother   of   the    above,    d.    8    Feb.    1775, 

a.  80. 
NiAS,  Sarah,  widow  of  John  Nias,  d.  26  Jan.  1799,  a.  52. 
NiAS,  John,  d.  8  April,  r7i8,  a.  55. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  487 

Peirce,  Thomas,  d.  20  March,  1781,  a.  63. 

Peirce,  Jane,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  8  Nov.  1778,  a.  60. 

PoTTiNGER,  Thomas,  d.  25  June,  1764,  a.  33. 

PoTTiNGER,  Susan,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  i  April,  1787,  a.  65. 

Povey,  Geo.,  accidently  drowned,  24  Jan.  1829,  a.  17. 

Purdue,  John,  d.  14  Aug.  1770,  a.  69. 

Purdue,  Mary,  widow  of  John  Purdue,  d.  29  Dec.  1785,  a.  85. 

Purdue,  Thbmas,  d.  i  Feb.  1782,  a.  38. 

Purdue,  EHzabeth,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  28  Jan.  1783,  a.  37. 

Purdue,  James,  d.  19  Oct.  1827,  a.  71. 

Purdue,  Charlotte,  d.  26  Aug.  1833,  a.  62. 

Purdue,  Robert,  d.  31  May,  1841,  a.  71. 

Purdue,  Hannah,  d.  24  Feb.  1840,  a.  80. 

Read,  Richard,  d.  28  Oct.  1829,  a.  75. 

Read,  Sarah,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  3  Dec.  1848,  a.  88. 

Reeves,  Edmund,  d.  2  June,  1784,  a.  37. 

Reeves,  Mabel,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  22  Feb.  1786,  a.  43. 

Rolfe,  John,  d.  13  Nov.  1807,  a.  67. 

RoLFE,  Sarah,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  2  May,  1813,  a.  73. 

Rowell,  Robert,  d.  9  Feb.  1839,  a.  53. 

RowELL,  Sarah,  wife  of  Robert  Rowell,  d.  8  May,  1818,  a.  22. 

Satchell,  John,  d.  15  Feb.  1851,  a.  56. 

Satchell,  Mary,  wife  of  above,  d.  t6  June,  1837,  a.  33. 

Satchell,  Charlotte,  d.  20  April,  1842,  a.  12. 

Satchell,  Mary  Ann,  d.  10  May,  1846,  a.  21. 

Satchell,  Richard,  d.  9  June,  1828,  a.  3  months. 

Satchell,  Arthur,  d.  15  Oct.  1832,  a.  6  months. 

Satchell,  Emma,  d.  17  Jan.  1835,  a.  15  months. 

Children  of  the  above  John  and  Mary  Satchell. 
Shaw,  John,  d.  3  April,  1800,  a.  50. 
Shaw,  James,  d.  29  Nov.  1807,  a.  67. 
Sims,  Thomas,  d.  24  Feb.  1826,  a.  62. 
Sims,  John,  d.  18  March,  181 5,  a.  26. 
Skeats,  Sarah,  d.  14  July,  1785,  a.  28. 
Skeats,  Sarah,  d.  21  Sept.  181 8,  a.  98. 
Smith,  Sophia,  wife  of  Thomas  Smith,  d.  i  July,  1822,  a.  28. 
Smith,  Hannah,  wife  of  Thomas  Smith,  d.  31  March,  1806,  a.  40. 
Smith,  Ann,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  Smith,  d.  24  May, 

18 1 2,  a.  14. 
Smith,  James,  d.  13  March,  1834,  a.  48. 
Stillwell,  Charles,  d.  21  July,  1850,  a.  72. 


488  History  and  Description  of 

Stratton,  Thomas,  d.  lo  March, ,  a.  68. 

Stratton,  Rebecca,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  26  June,  1813,  a.  47. 

TowNSEND,  John,  d.  7  May,  1780,  a.  51. 

TowNSEND,  EHzabeth,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  29  Nov.  1787,  a.  53. 

Vines,  Uriah  Bryant,  d.  29  Dec.  1842,  a.  52. 

Webb,  John,  d.  26  Dec.  1797,  a.  39. 

Webb,  Mary,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  16  Feb.  1833,  a.  92. 

Wells,  Job  (of  WalHngford),  d.  i  June,  1831,  a.  5/. 

Wells,  Ann,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  25  Feb.  1853,  a.  73. 

Wells,  Ann,  d.  17  May,  1832,  a.  17.    )  daughters  of  J.  and 

Wells,  Sophia,  d.  i  July,  1835,  a.  17. ■'  A.Wells. 

Wells,  Philip   7'homas,    son   of  Philip   and   Maria  Wells,   d. 
22  March,  1839,  a.  20. 

Wells,  Maria,  wife  of  Philip  Wells,  died  10  Oct.  1868,  a.  77. 

Wetherall,  Maria,  wife  of  William  Wetherall,  d.  26  Nov.  1840, 

a.  52. 
Wetherall,  William,  d.  21  Nov.  1841,  a.  59. 
Wetherall,  James,  son  of  the  above,  d.  6  Aug.  1842,  a.  18. 
Westcombe,  Michael,  d.  27  Aug.  1835,  a.  74. 
Westcombe,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  14  May  1832,  a.  90. 
Also   Temperance   Bunce,    sister  to   Mary   Westcombe,  d. 
16  Dec.  1837,  a.  7r. 
Whichelow,  John,  d.  21  March,  1824,  a.  40. 
Wiggins,  Jane,  wife  of  David  Wiggins,  d.  21  Dec.  1828,  a.  53. 
Wiggins,  David,  d.  i  Jan.  1839,  a.  49. 
Willis,  Thomas,  died  31  March,  1838,  a.  29. 
Willis,  Sarah,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  8  May,  1841,  a.  36. 
Winter,  Joseph,  d.  26  Feb.  1820,  a.  64. 
Winter,  Bithiah,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  28  Nov.  1823,  a.  71. 
Winter,  William,  d.  24  June,  1817,  a.  23. 
Winter,  Elizabeth,  d.  12  Feb.  1791,  a.  10. 
Winter,  EHzabeth,  d.  30  Nov.  1808,  a.  61. 
Winter,  John,  d.  21  May,  1809,  a.  23. 

Winter,  Mary,  d.  30  March,  i77i.|  Infant  children  of  J.  and  H. 
Winter,  John,  d.  15  Dec.  1775.     i  Winter. 

Wise,  George,  died  16  Dec.  1779,  a.  9.  n 

Wise,  Charles,  d;  18  Nov.  1769,  a.  9  months.) 

Children  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Wise. 
Yates,  Edward,  d.  10  Oct.  182 1,  a.  42. 

On  the  outer  east  wall  of  the  Chancel  is  affixed  what  is 


the  present  Parish  Church.  489 

apparently  a  portion  of  a  massive  tomb,  on  which  is  im- 
paled the  Arms  of  Philip  Weston,  Esq.,  and  those  of  Anne, 
daughter  of  Humphrey  Dolman,  Esq.,  by  Ann  his  wife, 
daughter  and  heiress  of  John  Quarles,  Esq.,  of  London. 

The  "  New  Burial-Ground," 

On  the  South  Side  of  the  Old  Churchyard. 

Abraham,  John,  late  of  Edgware  Road,  London,  d.   24  Sep. 

1829,  a.  49. 
Absalom,  Eliza,  wife  of  Charles  Absalom,  d.  27  June,  1838,  a.  33. 
Allen,  Thomas,  d.  9  April,  1847,  a.  77. 
Allen,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  13  Jan.  1834,  a.  66. 
Allen,  William,  son  of  the  above,  d.  24  Dec.  1848,  a.  49. 
Angell,  Catherine,  d.  1  May,  1839,  a.  83. 
Arnold,  Sophia,  wife  of  John  Arnold,  of  London,  d.  11  Feb. 

1825,  a.  38. 
Arnold,  John,  husband  of  the  above,  d.  25  July,  1827,  a.  46. 
Arnold,  Martha,  d.  20  Jan.  18 17,  a.  4. 
Arnold,  Eleanor,  d.  27  May,  1819,  a.  i. 
Avery,  Richard,  d.  28  June,  1849,  a.  66. 
Avery,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  15  June,  1838. 
Avery,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  the  above,  d.  23  March,  1813,  a.  4. 
Ayres,  Joseph,  d.  7  June,  1833,  a.  75. 
Bachelor,  Wm.  Robertson,  d.  22  July  1833,  a.  24. 
Bachelor,  Wm.,  d.  9  April,  1836,  a.  76. 
Bachelor,  Wm.,  died  16  Dec.  1857,  a.  76. 
Baggs,  Sarah,  wife  of  WilHam  Baggs,  d.  20  March,  1831,  a.  39. 
Baggs,  Caroline  Amelia,  d.  3  Aug.  1825,  a.  3.  ) 

Baggs,  Mary  Harriett  Jones,  d.  22  June,  1839,  a.  19.} 

Daughters  of  the  above. 
Bartlett,  George,  son  of  Will,  and  Ann  Bartlett,  d.  28  June 

1846,  a.  42. 
Bartlett,  William,  father  of  the  above,  d.  25  April,  1847,  a.  88. 
Bartlett,  Ann,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  27  March,  1850,  a.  82. 
Bartlett,  Hannah,  d.  2  Jan.  1800,  a.  66. 
Batten,  James,  d.  7  Sep.  1800,  a.  59. 
Batten,  Sarah,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  12  Oct.  18 12,  a.  74, 
Batten,  George,  d.  23  June,  1823,  a.  25. 
Batten,  Eleazor,  d.  i  July,  1809,  a.  39. 
Batten,  Ann,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  7  March,  1829,  a.  58. 


490  History  and  Description  of 

Batten,  Jesetta,  d.  25  May,  1827,  a.  16. 

Beckett,  John,  d.  19  Feb.  1846,  a.  47. 

Beckett,  John  Dibley,  son  of  the  above,  d.  14  Jan.  1828,  a.  4. 

Beckett,  Richard,  d.  8  Feb.  1838,  a.  49. 

Bell,  Ann,  d.  31  Dec.  1822,  a.  51. 

Bell,  Sarah,  daughter  of  the  above,  d.  25  May,  1828,  a.  24. 

Bolton,  Amy,  d.  25  Feb.  1846,  a.  91. 

Bourne,  Geo.,  d.  19  Dec.  1804,  a.  26. 

Brindlev,  James,  d.  29  March,  1822,  a.  49. 

Brindley,  Jane,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  18  Oct.  1820,  a.  46. 

Britten,  Mary,  late  of  Waltham  Abbey,  died  21   Oct.  1839, 

a.  63. 
Bromham,  Edmund,  d.  21  Sept.  1819,  a.  4. 
Brown,  Benjamin,  d.  9  Feb.  1800,  a.  84. 
Brown,  Richard,  d.  18  Dec.  1824,  a.  55. 
Brown,  Charles,  d.  2  Dec.  1849,  a.  44. 
Brunsden,  Charles,  d.  12  Aug.  1814,  a.  43. 
Brunsden,  Charles,  d.  2  June,  18 11,  a.  46. 
Brunsden,  Catherine,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  15  July,  1830,  a.  63. 
Brunsden,  Thomas,  d.  7  March,  1800,  a.  31. 
Butt,  Christiana,  wife  of  William  Butt,  d.  14  July,  1822,  a.  25. 
Butt,  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  the  above,  d.  30  March,  1822,  a. 

II  months. 
Challis,  Benjamin,  d.  18  April,  1779,  a.  75. 
Challis,  Sarah,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  31  Aug.  1765,  a.  54. 
Challis,  Joseph,  d.  23  Oct.  1800,  a.  33,  and  two  daughters  d. 

in  infancy. 
Charmbury,  Mary,  d.  30  Jan.  1816,  a.  19. 
Clayton,  Abraham,  d.  5  Nov.  1836,  a.  46. 
Clayton,  Mary,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  22  June,  1841,  a.  50. 
Clayton,  Susan,  d.  7  March,  1832,  a.  9  months. 
Clayton,  Sarah,  d.  16  Oct.  1835,  ^-  4  months. 
Clayton,  Emma  Mary,  d.  17  Dec.  1835,  a.  11. 
Clayton,  Bilbiah  Sellar,  d.  16  Sept.  1842,  a.  22. 
Clayton,  Martha  Sarah  Winter,  d.  18  April,  1850,  a.  27.. 

Children  of  Abraham  and  Mary  Clayton. 
Collier,  Charles,  d.  28  Jan.  1822,  a.  20. 
Cox,  Edward,  son  of  Samuel  and  Janet  Cox,  d.  8  June,  1821, 

a.  30. 
Cox,  Samuel,  father  of  the  above,  d.  19  Oct.  1826,  a.  68. 
Cripps,  Elizabeth,  d.  15  Jan.  1844,  a.  63. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  491 

Cumber,  Susannah,  wife  of  Henry  Cumber,  d.  30  June,  1833, 

a.  23. 
Cumber,  Mary,  daughter  of  the  above,  died  26  Sept.  1833,  a. 

4  months. 
Davis,  EHzabeth,  wife  of  Thomas  Davis,  Supervisor  of  Excise, 

d.  4  Feb.  1809,  a.  31. 
Davis,  Henry,  d.  16  Aug.  1825,  a.  19. 
Dennis,  Martha  Joanna,  d.  9  March,  1822,  a.  2.     1 
Dennis,  William  Thomas,  d.  16  March,  1822,  a.  6.' 

Children  of  James  and  EHzabeth  Dennis. 
Dyer,  Sally,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Dyer,  d.  26  Nov. 

1790,  a.  41. 
Evans,  George,  d.  18  Nov.  1845,  a.  5. 
Farrow,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Jonathan  Farrow,  d.  10  Dec.  1833, 

a.  59. 
Farrow,  Jonathan,  d.  4  Nov.  1837,  a.  67. 
Fentiman,  Thomas  Harris,  d.  3  Nov.  1842,  a.  3  months. 
Fentiman,  Alfred,  d.  16  April,  1847,  a.  18  months. 
FiDLER,  Sarah,  wife  of  Edward  Fidler,  d.  18  Feb.  1S40,  a.  73. 
Fidler,  Edward,  d.  23  Dec.  1851,  a.  88. 
FiDLER,  Charles,  d.  i  Sept.  1826,  a.  31. 
Fischer,  John,  a  native  of  Saxony,  formerly  of  the  Royal  Horse 

Guards,  and  at  the  time  of  his  decease  Bandmaster  of  the 

ist  Reg.  Royal  Berks  Local  Militia,  d.  9  June,  1812,  a.  46. 
Gosling,  William,  d.  18  Nov.  1836,  a.  85. 
Gosling,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  12  Feb.  1832,  a.  74. 
Gosling,  Hannah,wifeofWilliam  Gosling, died  31  Oct.  i837,a.  51. 
Gray,  Abraham,  d.  8  Dec.  1807,  a.  62. 
Green,  Arthur,  d.  16  Jan.  182 1,  a.  70. 
Green,  Sarah,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  21  June,  1838,  a.  87. 
Green,  Thomas,  late  15th  Lt.  Dragoons,  d.  22  May,  1797,  a.  22. 
Gregory,  Mary,  d.  11  April,  1831,  a.  62. 
Hall,  James  Stuart,   son  of  James  and  Jane  Stuart  Hall,  d. 

18  May,  1833,  a.  4  months. 
Hall,  James  Stuart,  d.  13  May,  1837,  a.  11. 
Hanson,  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Hanson,  d.  20  May,  1844,  a.  45. 
Hanson,  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  the  above,  d.  24  Feb.  1843,  a.  18. 
Hanson,  Mary,  wife  of  Will.  Hanson,  d.  30  March,  1824,  a.  25. 
Hanson,  Will.  Mildenhall,  son  of  the  above,  d.  25  Feb.  1825, 

a.  II  months. 
Harbor,  Thos.,  d.  14  Oct.  182-,  a.  91. 


492  History  and  Description  of 

Harbor,  Hannah,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  23  Jan.  1833,  a.  94. 
Harmsworth,  Edward,  d.  20  March,  1819,  a.  75. 
Harmsworth,  EHzabeth,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  2  Jan.  1825, 

a.  70. 
Harris,  Richard,  d.  26  Jan.  1849,  a.  78. 
Harris,  Sarah,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  4  Feb.  1855,  a.  84. 
Herbert,  James,  d.  21  July,  1814,  a.  32. 
Hester,  Sarah,  wife  of  James  Hester,  d.  16  April,  1812,  a.  27. 
Hickman,  Martha,  wife  of  J.  F.  Hickman,  d.  2  Dec.  1847,  a.  32. 
Hickman,  Louisa,  daughter  of  the  above,  d.  11  Nov.  1867,  a.  26. 
HiGGS,  John,  d.ii  April,  1833,  a.  58. 
HiGGS,  John,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Higgs,  d.  8  Feb.  1830, 

a.  16. 
HoLDWAY,  Richard,  d.  i  Dec.  1824,  a.  65. 
HoLDWAY,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  24  May,  1823,  a.  70. 
HoRNE,    Harriett,    daughter    of   Thos.    and    Mary   Home,   d. 

I  Jan.  1847,  a.  33. 
Hughes,  Mary,  wife  of  John  Hughes,  d.  26  May,  1771,  a.  31. 
Hughes,   Mary;  daughter  of  the  above,  d.    30    May,   1771,   a. 

8  days. 
Humphries,  Mary,  widow  of  William  Humphries,  of  Caversham, 

d.  15  March,  1812,  a.  53. 
Jasper,  William,  d.  8  Jan.  1817,  a.  75. 
Jasper,  Francis,  d.  Aug.  6,  1819,  a.  75. 
Johnstone,  Frances,  wife  of  Geo.  Johnstone,  d.  18  May,  1824, 

a.  42. 
Jolly,  Francis,  d.  14  May,  1837,  a.  27. 

■'  '         ^        t  Infant  children  of  the  above. 

Jolly,  Harriett. ) 

Keens,  Robert,  d.  29  Jan.  1780,  a.  108. 

Keens,  Ann,  wife  of  the  above,' d.  27  Feb.  1770,  a.  98. 

The  inscription  on  the  gravestone  of  Keens,  virho  is 
recorded  to  have  died  at  such  an  extraordinary  age,  and 
which  also  commemorates  his  vifife,  whose  years  were  only 
ten  fewer  than  those  of  her  husband,  is  as  follows  : — 

"  In  memory  of  Robert  Keens,  who  died  January  20th,  1780,  aged 
108  years.  And  of  Ann  the  wife  of  Robert  Keens,  who  died  February 
27tli,  1770,  aged  98  years. 

She  dy'd  first,  he  for  a  little  try'd 

To  live  without  her,  lik'd  it  not,  and  dy'd. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  493 

Kent,  James  Darlington,  son  of  the  late  Benjamin  Kent,  of 

Clifford's  Inn,  d.  8  July,  1845,  a-.  45- 
Kermon,  George,  son  of  George  and  Frances  Kermon,  d.  25 

Feb.  1830,  a.  11. 
Kermon,  George,  father  of  the  above,  d.  8  May,  1844,  a.  54. 
Kershaw,  Abraham,  d.  16  Nov.  1859,  a.  61. 
Kershaw,  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  13  March,  1849,  a.  48. 
King,  John,  d.  16  July,  1802,  a.  80. 
King,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  25  Jan.  1799,  a.  78. 
King,  Jacob,  son  of  the  above,  d.  12  Jan.  1782,  a.  21. 
King,  Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  King,   of  the  '  Globe '  Inn,  and 

daughter  of  Mary  Britten,  d.  4  June,  1842,  a.  45. 
King,  Samuel  Britten,  d.  4  Sept.  1845,  ^-  ^6. 
King,  Robert  Gilder,  d.  1  May,  1848,  a.  21. 
King,  Thomas,  d.  9  Jan.  1849,  a-  Si- 
King,  George,  d.  11  Oct.  1822,  a.  20  months. 
King,  Mary,  d.  20  July,  1856,  a.  33. 
King,  Sarah  Maria,  d.  30  June,  1857,  a.  21. 
King,  Edward,  d.  30  July,  1842,  a.  89. 
Knight,  Eliza,  d.  20  Feb.  1831,  a.  22.      \ 
Knight,  Mary,  d.  15  March,  1839,  a.  37.  ) 

Daughters  of  John  and  Mary  Knight, 
Knight,  Mary,  wife  of  John  Knight,  d.  24  April,  1825,  a.  61. 
Knight,  John,  d.  20  April,  1837,  a.  76. 
Lawson,  Hannah,  d.  2  April,  1773,  a.  68. 
Lewis,  Joseph,  d.  17  Sept.  1842,  a.  58. 
Lewis,  Letitia,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  16  May,  1817,  a.  29. 
LiDDiARD,  William,  d.  23  June,  1836,  a.  47. 
Liddiard,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  16  July,  1842,  a.  52. 
LiDDiARD,  Jane,  d.  10  Jan.  1844,  a.  ig8. 
Liddiard,  William,  d.  26  June,  1838,  a.  77. 
Liddiard,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  15  Sept.  1831,  a.  66. 
Martin,  John,  d.  31  July,  1837,  a.  63. 
Masters,  Francis,  d.  2  Oct.  1814,  a.  59. 
Masters,  Ehzabeth,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  21  Aug.  1807,  a.  57. 
Matthews,  Mary,  late  of  Boxford,  d.  9  Feb.  1820,  a.  66. 
May,  Ehzabeth,  d.  2  Sept.  1842,  a.  79. 
May,  Wilham,  d.  15  June,  1830,  a.  54. 
May,  Mary,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  18  Oct.  1844,  a  71. 
Melchior,  William,  late  Trumpeter   15th  Light  Dragoons,  d. 

24th  April,  1799,  a.  33. 


494  History  and  Description  of 

Miller,  Ann,  d.  20  Oct.  1842,  a.  90. 

Miller,  Elizabeth,  daughter  ol  the  above,   d.   30  Oct.    1847, 

a.  70. 
MoRRisH,  Ruth,  d.  28  Nov.  1827,  a.  56. 
Moss,  William,  d.  6  Dec.  1770,  a.  57. 
Moss,  Sarah,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  5  June,  1775,  a.  38. 
Moss,  Sarah,  wife  of  James  Moss,  d.  3  Aug.  1824,  a.  25. 
Newbury,  Ann,  wife  of  James  Newbury,  d.  7  Sept.  1837,  a.  79. 
Newbury,  James,  d.  2  Sept.  1841,  a.  76. 
North,  Lucy,  d.  19  Nov.  1843,  ^-  66. 

North,  Johannah,  wife  of  John  North,  d.  19  April,  1815,  a.  22. 
Osgood,  Harry,  d.  9  Dec.  1833,  a.  30. 
Palmer,  Matthew,  late  Royal  Horse  Guards,  d.  2  Aug.  1785, 

a.  35- 
Parker,  Robt.,  d.  21  Oct.  1778. 
Parsons,  Sally,  widow  of  Thomas  Parsons,  d.   12   Nov.   1842, 

a.  71. 
Parsons,  Fred.  John,   son  of  the  above,  d.    10  March,  1855, 

a.  47. 
Peck,  Geo.,  d.  27  Oct.  1813,  a.  73. 
Peck,  Jacob,  d.  5  Aug.  18 11,  a.  31. 
Pegg,  Thos.,  d.  16  Feb.  1818,  a.  49. 
Pegg,  Mary  Ann,  infant  daughter  of  the  above. 
PiNNiGER,  William,  son  of  Broome  and  Elizabeth  Pinniger,  d. 

30  Jan.  1833,  a.  i  year. 
PiTTMAN,  Mary,  wife  of  James  Pittman,  d.  24  Nov.  1835,  3-  67. 
Plenty,  William,  d.  13  June,  1832,  a.  73. 
Plenty,  John,  d.  8  Aug.  1823,  a.  35.         ■)  sons  of  the 

Plenty,  William,  d.  30  July,  1831,  a.  25.  /  above. 

Potter,  John,  son  of  John-  Potter,  Officer  of  Excise,  d.  7  Jan. 

1801,  a.  3. 
Powell,  Ann,  wife  of  Thos.  Powell,  d.  22  May,  181 1,  a.  66. 
Powell,  Thos.,  d.  18  Feb.  1808,  a.  66. 
Powell,  James,  d.  13  Dec.  1816,  a.  24. 
Powell,  Hannah,  d.  2  April,  17 — . 
Pullen,  John,  d.  14  May,  1825,  a.  49. 
Randall,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Randall,  d.  28  Feb.  181 1, 

a.  30. 
Record,  Thos.,  d.  6  May,  1837,  a.  84. 
Record,  Mary,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  21  May,  1838,  a.  74. 
Record,  Joseph,  son  of  the  above,  d.  11  Dec.  183 1,  a.  45. 


the  present  Parish  Church.  495 

Richardson,  Mary  Ann,  d.  22  Jan.  1825,  a.  5. 

RoAKE,  Esther,  widow  of  John  Roake,  of  Henley-on-Thames,  d. 

20  Jan.  1838,  a.  76. 
Roake,  James  White,  d.  27  March,  1840,  a.  14. 
Roake,  Mary  Stubbs,  d.  i  Dec.  1844,  a.  17. 
Roake,  James  White,  d.  10  April,  1861,  a.  65. 
Roake,  Mary,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  4  March,  1862,  a.  66. 
Rogers,  Will.,  d.  25  Nov.  1847,  a.  69. 
Rolls,  Catherine,  daughter  of  Mary  Britten,  of  Waltham  Abbey, 

d.  21  Oct.  1839,  a.  63. 
Russ,  Mary,  wife  of  William  Russ,  d.  13  April,  1827,  a.  61. 
Russ,  Ann,  daughter  of  the  above,  d.  2  June,  1823,  a.  28. 
Sandy,  Eleanor,  d.  7  Aug.  1818,  a.  70. 
ScoTFORD,  Wm.,  d.  10  May,  18 17,  a.  38. 
Sheppard,  Richard,  d.  13  July,  1786,  a.  53. 
Sheppard,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  15  Oct.  1774,  a.  40. 
Shrimpton,  Paul,  son  of  Harry  and  Jane  Shrimpton,  d.  23  May, 

1846,  a.  3. 
Sims,  James,  d.  31  Oct.  1842,  a.  80. 
Sims,  Mary,  wife  of  the  above,  d.  12  Nov.  1814,  a.  49. 
Skinner,  Francis,  d.  30  Dec.  1797,  a.  79. 
Skinner,  Sarah,  daughter  of  the  above,  d.  7  Dec.  1832,  a.  78. 
Skinner,  Thomas,  d.  10  April,  1820,  a.  50. 
Skinner,  Mabel,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  24  Aug.  1822,  a.  59. 
Smith,  Charles,  d.  17  July,  1808,  a.  28.     Also  Charles,  infant 

son. 
Snow,  John,  d.  23  April,  1808,  a.  34. 
Snow,  Ann,  d.  11  Feb.  18 10,  a.  — . 
Somerset,  Thomas,  son  of  William  and  Mary  Ann  Somerset,  d. 

12  March,  1828,  a.  2. 
Stanley,  John,  officer  of  excise,  d.  3  Dec.  1841,  a.  70. 
Stanley,  Modest,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  6  Sept.  1843,  a.  55. 
Stewart,  William,  Ensign  3rd  Buffs,  d.  3  Aug.  1824,  a.  25. 
Stillman,  Wilham,  d.  4  May,  1819,  a.  70. 
Taylor,  EHzabeth,  d.  3  Nov.  1837,  a.  67. 
Taylor,  Daniel,  husband  of  the  above,  d.  20  Aug.  1852,  a.  82. 
Tidman,  Elizabeth,  d.  24  Aug.  1828,  a.  79. 
Tombs,  Israel,  d.  12  Dec.  1852,  a.  63. 
ToMKiNS,  William,  d.  18  Aug.  182 1,  a.  6i. 
Tomkins,  Elizabeth,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  9  Nov.  1829,  a.  74. 
Tucker,  James  Fludyer,  d.  28  Oct.  1841,  a.  59. 


496  History  of  the  present  Parish  Church. 

TwiTCHEN,  Caroline,  d.  i6  Nov.  1844,  a.  33. 

TwiTCHEN,  Henrietta,  d.  10  July,  1845,  a.  20. 

TwiTCHEN,  Richard,  d.  i  Oct.  1826,  a.  34. 

TwiTCHEN,  George,  d.  13  Sept.  1827,  a.  7  months. 

Warner,  John,  d.  9  July,  1785,  a.  40. 

Weaver,  Lucy,  d.  20  Jan.  1837,  a.  77. 

Weston,  Humphrey,  late  Bath  Coachman,  d.  11  March,  1814, 

a.  57- 
Weston,  Sarah,  widow  of  the  above,  d.  31  May,  1827,  a.  71. 
Weston,  Sarah  Ann,  daughter  of  the  above,  d.  3  June,   1840, 

a.  59. 
Weston,  Ann,  wife  of  Benjamin  Weston,  d.  26  Jan.  1817,  a  34. 
Weston,   Benjamin,  husband   of  the   above.   Treasurer   of  the 

Borough,  d.  23  July,  1848,  a.  72. 
Wheatley,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  John  Wheatley,  d.  13  Oct.  18 ri, 

a.  52. 
Wheatley,  John  Gifford,  son  of  the  above,  d. ,  181 2,  a.  24, 

buried  at  Bradford,  Wilts. 
Wheatley,  William  Henry,  d.  16  Dec.  1815,  a.  23. 
Wheatley,   EUzabeth,  daughter   of  William   Henry  and   Ann 

Wheatley,  d.  6  Oct.  1834,  a.  19. 
Wheatley,  Ann,  d.  21  Jan.  1858,  a.  67. 
Wheeler,  Robt.,  son  of  Robt.  Wheeler,  Wesleyan  Minister,  d. 

I  April,  1828,  a.  8. 
Wheeler,  John  Hunt,  son  of  Robt.  Wheeler,  above  mentioned, 

d.  28  Dec.  1828,  a.  2. 
WiGMORE,  Charlotte,  d.  8  Nov.  1845,  a.  40. 
Wilkin  s.  Pleasant,  d.  26  Nov.  1837,  a.  78. 
Winter,  Martha,  d.  19  Jan.  1853,  a.  66. 
Wood,  Henry  Taylor,  d.  11  Sept.  r832,  a.  35. 
Wood,  Thomas,  d.  12  Jan.  1842,  a.  82. 
Wood,  Ann,  d.  29  Oct.  1841,  a.  81. 

The  burial-ground  attached  to  the  parish  church  w^as 
closed  against  interments,  except  in  certain  vaults,  under 
the  provisions  of  the  Burials  Act,  16  and  17  Vict.,  and 
from  this  time  interments  have  taken  place  at  the  ceme- 
tery, which  was  opened  for  burials  in  April,  1850. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


Zbc  IRectors  an&  ©fficers  of  tbe  Cburcb. 

A  List  of  the  Rectors,  with  Biographical  Notes. — A  List  of  the  Church- 
wardens.— The  Organists  of  the  Church. 

Rectors  of  Newbury. 

THE  name  of  Gervase,  Clerk  of  Newbury  Church,  occurs 
in  the  composition  made  with  the  Abbot  and  Convent 
of  Reading,  1213-26  (see  p.  435). 

Richard  de  Warmyngton  is  the  name  of  the  first  Rec- 
tor of  Newbury  recorded  in  the  Episcopal  Registers  of  the 
Diocese  of  Salisbury,  who  was  presented  to  the  Church 
on  the  instance  of  the  Abbot  and  Convent  of  "  Pratell " 
(Preaux),  June  13,  1327.  Warmyngton,  or  Warmington, 
whence  this  Rector's  name  was  apparently  derived,  is  a  vil- 
lage in  Warwickshire,  about  five  miles  from  Banbury,  where 
there  existed  a  Benedictine  Priory  subordinate  to  the  Ab- 
bey of  Preaux.  A  William  de  Warmyngton  augmented  the 
Chantry  foundation  of  Robert  Bullock  in  Newbury  Church. 

At  this  period,  when  so  many  of  the  English  benefices 
were  held  by  foreign  monasteries,  disputes  and  animosities 
between  English  and  foreign  ecclesiastics  were  of  fre- 
quent occurrence.  We  have  an  instance  of  this  in  the 
case  of  Newbury.  The  abbot  and  his  brethren  at  Preaux 
had  presented  Richard  de  Warmyngton  to  the  Church  of 
Newbury,  but  the  Bishop  of  Salisbury  refused  to  institute 
him ;  consequently  a  precept  was  issued  by  the  Official 
Principal  of  Canterbury,  enjoining  the  Bishop  to  allow 
every  facility  to  Richard  de  Warmyngton  to  prosecute  an 
appeal  against  the  Bishop's  refusal  or  delay  in  giving  him 
episcopal  institution.  The  result  of  this  mandate  was 
that  the  right  of  the  patrons  was  maintained,  and  War- 
myngton was  duly  instituted  to  the  benefice. 

K  k 


498  The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 

Thomas  Charles,  of  "  Hadesco,"  now  spelt  "  Hadisco," 
a  parish  in  Norfolk,  about  five  miles  from  Beccles,  was  in- 
stituted on  June  20,  1349,  on  the  presentation  of  King 
Edward  III.,  in  right  of  the  temporalities  of  the  Abbot  of 
Pratell,  a  foreigner,  and  now  held  in  the  King's  hands  on 
account  of  the  war  between  the  King  and  his  French  ad- 
versaries. The  Church  of  Hadesco  was  one  of  those  given 
by  Ernulf  de  Hesding  to  the  Abbey  of  Pr^aux. 

Thomas  Newman  was  the  next  Rector ;  his  institution 
is  not  recorded  in  the  Episcopal  Register ;  but  in  Bishop 
Waltham's  register  it  is  reported  that  at  a  Visitation  held 
before  the  Bishop's  Commissary  in  Thatcham  Church,  on 
May  15,  1394,  "Thomas  Newenham,  the  Rector  of  New- 
bury, did  not  appear." 

John  Maldon,  instituted  May  26,  1394,  on  death  of 
last,  by  presentation  of  Lodewyc  de  Clifford,  the  patron 
of  this  turn. 

Hugh  Clifford,  Chaplain,  instituted  January  30,  1401, 
on  death  of  last,  by  presentation  of  Lodewyc  de  Clifford, 
Knight. 

John  Lynes  de  Stoley  (.?  Stodey,  Norfolk),  instituted 
August  10,  1408,  on  presentation  of  Thomas  Erpingham, 
Knight,  in  right  of  the  temporalities  of  the  foreign  priory 
of  Toftys  %  held  by  him  for  this  turn  by  grant  from  King 
Henry  IV.,  on  account  of  the  war  between  the  King  and 
his  French  adversary. 

Robert  Langrish,  instituted  October  3,  141 8,  on  death 
of  last,  by  presentation  of  Prior  and  Convent  of  the  Car- 
thusian Order  at  Witham  in  Selwood,  patrons  for  this 
turn,  by  a  grant  from  the  King. 

John  Stretton,  LL.D.,  instituted  June  i,  1454,  on  pre- 
sentation of  Prior  and  Convent  of  Witham. 

Thomas  Water,  B.A.,  instituted  February  26,  1457,  on 
resignation  of  last,  by  the  presentation  of  Prior  and  Con- 
vent of  Witham. 

Christopher  Twynho,  clerk,  instituted  September  4,  1479, 

•  Toftes,  CO.  Norfolk ;  a  cell  to  Preaux,  see  p.  33. 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church.  499 

on  death  of  last,  by  presentation  of  the  House  of  the 
Blessed  Mary  at  Witham  of  the  Carthusian  Order,  and  of 
the  convent  of  the  same  place,  in  the  diocese  of  Bath  and 
Wells.  Twynho,  or,  as  the  name  is  variously  spelt,  Twyne- 
hoe,  Twynely,  Twinkley,  was  collated  to  a  Prebend  at 
Lincoln,  Feb.  11,  1488-9,  and  became  Archdeacon  of 
Berks,  Dec.  20,  1507.  He  was  succeeded  in  the  same 
Archdeaconry  by  William  Grey,  about  15 10. 

John  Esterfield,  instituted  June  7,  1488,  on  resignation 
of  last,  by  presentation  of  Prior  and  Convent  of  Witham. 

John  Wayte,  M.A.,  instituted  August  8,  15 13,  on  death 
of  Esterfield,  by  presentation  of  Prior  and  Convent  of 
Witham.  Wayte  was  one  of  the  witnesses  to  the  will  of 
John  Winchcombe,  to  whom  the  latter  bequeathed  40J.  in 
satisfaction  for  the  supposed  negligence  or  omission  he 
had  been  guilty  of  in  not  paying  his  personal  tithes,  that 
is,  the  tithes  of  the  movable  goods  and  chattels  possessed 
by  him  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

In  the  Lambeth  Palace  library  there  is  a  Bull  of  Pope 
Leo  X.  to  John  Wayt,  Rector  of  St.  Nicholas,  Newbury, 
dispensative  of  plurality.     He  died  April,  1539. 

Edward  Hey  don,  B.C.L.,  instituted  April  6,  1539,  o" 
death  of  John  Wayte,  by  presentation  of  John  Brydges, 
Knight,  patron,  by  virtue  of  a  grant  of  letters  of  advowson 
from  the  former  Prior  and  Convent  of  the  House  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin  Mary  of  Witham,  of  the  Carthusian  Order, 
in  the  Diocese  of  Bath  and  Wells. 

Edmund  Alen,  clerk,  instituted  July  18,  1551,  on  the 
resignation  of  Edward  Heydon ;  by  presentation  of  the 
Lady  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  King  Henry  VHL,  and  of 
the  most  illustrious  Prince  Edward  the  Sixth,  and  now 
Lord  the  King.  Alen  was  the  first  Rector  appointed  to 
Newbury  after  the  Church  of  England  had  terminated  her 
connection  with  Rome,  and  was  no  doubt  the  Edmund 
Allen,  Bishop-elect  of  Rochester,  who  either  died  before 
consecration  or  declined  the  office.  The  following  memoir 
of  him  is  given  in  "Athenae  Cantabrigienses,''  (vol.  i.  p. 
198). 

K  k,2 


500  T lie  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 

"  Edmund  Allen,  a  native  of  Norfolk,  Fellow  of  Corpus  Christi 
College,  1536,  M.A.  1537,  was  steward  of  his  college  1539,  and 
afterwards  travelled  abroad  for  the  sake  of  study  several  years  with 
the  leave  of  his  college.  As  he  is  styled  B.D.,  and  no  such  degree 
is  recorded  here,  he  probably  took  it  in  some  foreign  University. 
In  March,  1545-6,  we  find  him  in  London.  He  was  a  great  pro- 
ficient in  the  learned  languages  and  divinity,  and  embraced  de- 
cided Protestant  opinions.  In  1549  he  was  in  England,  and 
Chaplain  to  the  Princess  Elizabeth,  afterwards  Queen.  On 
Mary's  accession,  when  he  was  probably  ejected  as  being  a  mar- 
ried priest,  he  again  went  abroad,  and  did  not  return  to  England 
till  after  her  death.  Queen  Elizabeth  constituted  him  one  of  her 
Royal  Chaplains,  and  employed  him  in  an  embassy.  He  was 
nominated  to  the  See  of  Rochester,  and  is  presumed  to  have 
been  elected  to  that  Bishopric  under  a  conge  d'elire  which  issued 
July  27,  1559.  He  died,  however,  before  consecration,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Church  of  St.  Thomas  Apostle,  London,  August 
30,  1559.  He  left  a  wife  and  eight  children.  He  was  au- 
thor of: — 

"  I.  A  Christian  Introduction  forsouth,  containing  the  Principles 
of  our  Faith  and  Religion.  Lond.  8vo.,  1548,  1550.  2.  A  Cate- 
chisme,  that  is  to  say,  a  Christen  instruction  of  the  principal 
pointes  of  Christe's  Religion.  Lond.  8vo.,  155 1.  3.  On  the 
authority  of  the  Word  of  God,  translated  from  Alex.  Ales.  4.  On 
the  species  of  the  Sacrament  and  the  authority  of  the  Bishops. 
Translation  from  Philip  Melancthon.  5.  On  the  Apocalypse. 
Translation  from  Conrad  Pelican.  6.  Paraphrase  from  the  Revela- 
tion of  St.  John.  Translation  from  Leo  Jude,  minister  of  Zurich. 
Lond.  fo.,  1549.  To  him  is  also  attributed  the  translation  of  an 
epistle  to  Dr.  Matt.  Gribald,  Professor  of  Law  at  Padua,  on  the 
tremenduous  judgment  of  God,  i2mo.,  1550." 

In  the  Fourth  Session  of  the  First  Parliament  of  Edward 
VI.,  1549,  a  Bill  was  passed  to  make  the  wives  and  chil- 
dren of  Edmund  Alyn,  and  others,  clerks,  denizens.  (Com- 
mons' Journal,  April  4,  1549.)  Allen  probably  married 
when  abroad,  and  on  his  return  to  England,  his  wife  was 
permitted  to  be  naturalised  according  to  the  Act  for  the 
confirmation  of  the  marriage  of  priests. 

The  name  of  Edmund  Allein  appears  in  the  list  of  Doc- 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Chtcrch.  501 

tors  of  Divinity  and  Preachers  given  in  Strype's  "  Memo- 
rials of  Archbishop  Cranmer  "  as  being  in  exile  in  1553. 

The  funeral  of  Allen  is  thus  recorded  in  Machyn's  Diary, 
under  the  year  1559  : — 

"  The  XXX  day  of  August  was  bered  in  Sant  Thomas  Apostylle, 
Captayn  Matsun,  with  XX  Clarkes  syngyng,  and  armes  a  bowff 
hym,  and  bered  in  the  qwyre. 

"  The  same  tym  afterward  was  bered  in  the  body  of  the 
chyrche,  Master  Allen,  neiw  electyd  Byshope  of  Rochaster,  with 
a  few  Clarkes  syngyng,  and  ther  did  pryche  for  him  Master  Hunt- 
ynton  the  prycher,  the  wyche  he  had  a  wyf  and  viij  chylderyn''." 

The  two  entries  stand  in  the  Register  of  St.  Thomas 
Apostle,  for  the  year  1559,  as  follows  : — 

"  Edmund  Clark,  no'iated  Bishop  of  Rochest',  buried  xxvijth 
day  of  August. 

"  Captain  Matsonne  buried  the  same  day." 

Machyn  appears  to  have  erred  by  three  days  in  the  date, 
but  as  there  is  independent  testimony  as  to  the  name  of 
Allen,  it  is  most  probable  that  when  the  transcript  of 
St.  Thomas  Apostle's  register  was  made  in  1598,  by  some 
accident  the  surname  was  omitted.  Such  mistranscrip- 
tions are  not  of  infrequent  occurrence  in  copies  of  these 
early  registers.  No  will  of  Edmund  Allen  was  proved  in 
any  of  the  London  or  Provincial  Courts,  and  it  is  therefore 
probable  that  he  died  intestate.  A  memorandum  entered 
in  one  of  the  volumes  of  wills  proved  in  the  Court  of 
Archdeaconry  of  Berks  is  to  the  effect  that  "  Edmund 
Alyn"  was  inducted  to  the  Rectory  of  Welford,  Feb.  21, 
1547-8.     He  probably  came  from  Welford  to  Newbury. 

William  Smyth,  priest,  instituted  November  8,  1553,  on 
resignation  of  Edmund  Allen,  by  presentation  of  Lady 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Henry  VHL,  and  of  the  most 
illustrious  Princess  Mary,  by  the  Grace  of  God  Queen  of 
England,  France,  and  Ireland. 

Henry   Howman.     This   name   appears   in    the   Parish 
^  Diary  of  Henry  Machyn,  Camden  Soc,  p.  208. 


502  The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 

Register  as  "Pastor,"  in  ISS4-S,  but  is  not  entered  in  the 
list  of  institutions. 

William  Forde,  B.C.L.,  of  New  College,  Oxford,  was  the 
next  Rector.  His  institution  is  not  entered  in  the  Salis- 
bury Register,  but  his  composition  for  First  Fruits  is  dated 
December  9,  1559.  Some  very  amusing  particulars  con- 
cerning this  Rector  are  given  in  the  "  Reminiscenses  of 
John  Loude,  or  Lowthe,  Archdeacon  of  Nottingham, 
addressed  to  John  Foxe,  the  martyrologist  ("Narratives 
of  the  Reformation,"  Cam.  Soc.  MDCCCLIX.  pp.  29—31. 
Forde  was  deprived  of  the  Rectory  in  1560,  on  a  question 
respecting  the  right  of  presentation. 

Thomas  Bromhead,  appointed  Rector  in  December,  1560. 
His  institution  is  also  not  to  be  found  in  the  Salisbury 
Register,  but  the  date  of  his  admittance  to  the  Rectory  is 
shewn  by  his  composition  for  First  Fruits. 

Thomas  Early.  This  name  is  entered  in  the  Parish 
Register  as  "Minister"  in  1562,  but  does  not  appear  in 
the  episcopal  list  of  institutions.  In  the  History  of  New- 
bury and  its  Environs,  published  in  1839,  ^^  p.  104,  it  is 
stated  that  "  Dr.  Whyte,  by  an  entry  in  the  Register,  is 
shewn  to  have  been  the  incumbent  in  the  year  1566."  On 
referring  to  the  Register  of  that  date  we  find  the  entry 
runs  as  follows  :  — 

"  Here  endith  the  plase  that  was  Register''  unto  Doctor 
Wyghte  Anno  1566." 

The  explanation  of  this  is  that  a  duplicate  transcript  of 
the  Register  to  this  date  had  been  sent  to  Dr.  Whyte,  the 
then  Chancellor  of  Salisbury. 

Hugh  vS/^^/Z^y,  instituted  March  17,  1567,  on  the  depri- 
vation of  Thomas  Bromhead,  by  the  presentation  of 
Queen  Elizabeth.  He  died  in  1596,  and  the  quaint  Eliza- 
bethan epitaph  on  his  brass  is  printed  with  the  monu- 
mental inscriptions. 

Thomas  Coldwell,  M.A.,  instituted  in  1592,  on  the  pre- 
sentation of  Queen  Elizabeth.  Also  Rector  of  Shaw-cum- 
Donnington.  On  Feb.  16,  1594-5,  a  Thomas  Coldwell 
was  collated  Sub-Dean  of  Salisbury,  where  he  succeeded 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church.  503 

Richard  Hooker,  the  author  of  the  "  Ecclesiastical  Polity. ' 
He  resigned  this  appointment  in  1598-9,  and  died  in  16 18. 

Nathaniel  Giles,  M.A.,  instituted  March  22,  1618,  on 
death  of  last,  by  presentation  of  King  James  I.  This 
Rector  is  thus  noticed  by  Walker  "^ : — 

"Nathaniel  Giles,  D.D.,  Canon  of  Windsor.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Magd.  Coll.,  in  Oxford,  as  I  conjecture;  because  I  find 
he  proceeded  D.D.  of  that  House  in  the  year  1625,  where  he 
was  a  Compounder.  He  was  installed  in  this  Canonry  March 
21,  1623,  in  the  room  of  Thomas  White  ;  but  the  patent  for  it  is 
not  entered  in  the  Register  of  this  Church.  About  three  years 
after  he  obtained  the  like  preferment  in  the  Church  of  Worcester, 
and  he  was  also  possessed  of  the  living  of  Chinnor ;  but  whether 
he  lost  that  Rectory  or  not,  is  unknown  to  me.  He  died  in  the 
time  of  the  grand  Rebellion ;  which  is  all  that  I  know  more  of 
him,  save  that  on  the  Restoration  his  Canonry  was  by  Letters 
Patent  granted  the  26th  July,  1660,  conferred  on  George  Evans, 
A.M.,  who  was  instituted  therein  the  30th  of  that  month." 

He  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  Giles,  Doctor  of  Music, 
Organist  at  St.  George's  Chapel,  and  author  of  "  Divine 
Services  and  Anthems  sung  in  the  Cathedrals  and  Colle- 
giate Choirs  in  the  Church  of  England,"  published  in  1633. 
Dr.  Giles,  the  father,  was  buried  in  the  south  aisle  of  St. 
George's  Chapel,  Windsor,  and  the  inscription  on  his 
tomb,  erected  by  his  son,  is  given  in  Ashmole's  "  Hist, 
and  Antiq.  Berks." 

William  Twisse,  D.D.,  instituted  October  4,  1620,  on 
resignation  of  Nathaniel  Giles,  with  whom  Twisse  had 
exchanged  the  living  of  Newton-Longueville,  Bucks,  by 
the  presentation  of  Charles,  Prince  of  Wales,  Duke  of 
Cornwall  and  York,  and  Earl  of  Chester.  This  eminent 
divine  was  the  son  of  a  clothier  at  Newbury,  who  had 
emigrated  from  Germany,  and  was  born  at  Speenhamland 
about  the  year  1575.  He  was  educated  at  Winchester 
and  Oxford,  and  became  a  Fellow  of  New  College  March 
II,  1597-8.  In  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War  he  sided 
with  the  Parliament,  and  was  chosen  Prolocutor  of  the 
Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines.  While  he  was  Prolo- 
"  "Sufferings  of  the  Clergy,"  Pt.  IT.  pp.  92,  93. 


504  The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 

cutor  he  was  one  of  the  three  Lecturers  at  St.  Andrew's 
Church,  Holborn,  which  was  given  him  for  the  losses  he 
sustained  at  Newbury,  "he  being  forced  thence,  as  his 
brethren  said,  by  the  royal  party."     He  died  in  London, 
July  26,  1646,  and  was  buried  in  Westminster  Abbey,  his 
funeral  being  attended  by  the  whole  House  of  Commons 
and  the  Assembly  of  Divines.    His  remains  were  included 
among  those  of  Cromwell,  Blake,  Popham,  and  other  mag- 
nates of  the  Commonwealth  exhumed  after  the  Restora- 
tion  and   thrown   into  a  common  pit   in    St.  Margaret's 
churchyard.     His  will,  dated  September  9,  1645,  with  a 
codicil  June  30,  1646,  was  proved  August  6  in  the  latter 
year.     He  would  seem  not  to  have  been  so  reduced  in 
circumstances  as  the  accounts  of  him  usually  represent, 
for,    besides    other    not    inconsiderable   legacies,   he   be- 
queathed his  manor  of  Ashampstead,  Berks,  to  trustees 
for  the  benefit  of  his  younger  children.     He  left  four  sons 
and  three  daughters,  but  his  wife,  Frances,  daughter  of 
Barnabas  Colnett,  of  Combley,   Isle  of  Wight,  had  pre- 
deceased him.     There  is  a  portrait  of  Dr.  Twisse  in  the 
vestry  of  Newbury  Church,  painted  in  1644,  Twisse  being 
then  in  his   71st   year,    which  Dr.  Ward,  the  antiquary, 
mentions  as  having  been  much  damaged  by  injudicious 
cleaning  in   1745.      It  was  formerly  highly  prized,  and 
protected  by  a  curtain. 

Benjamin  Woodbridge,  M.A.,  is  considered  to  have 
been  the  successor  of  Dr.  Twisse,  but  several  other 
Presbyterian  ministers  were  intruded  in  the  interval 
between  the  death  of  Twisse  and  the  appointment  of 
Woodbridge.  He  appears  to  have  been  appointed  Rector 
by  Cromwell's  House  of  Peers  in  1648,  as  in  the  Commons' 
Journal  of  May  1 8  in  that  year  it  is  recorded  that  a  mes- 
sage was  on  that  day  received  from  the  Lords,  desiring 
the  concurrence  of  the  Lower  House  "for  making  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin Woodbridge  Rector  of  the  Church  of  Newberry." 
Benjamin  Woodbridge  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  John 
Woodbridge,  and  was  born  at  Stanton-Fitzwarren,  near 
Highworth,  in  Wiltshire,  in  1622.  He  became  a  com- 
moner of  Magdalen  Hall,  Oxford,  in  1638,  but  the  Civil 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church.  505 

War  breaking  out,  he  went  to  America  with  a  party  of  his 
co-religionists,  and  took  his  degree  of  M.A.  at  Harvard,  or 
Cambridge    University,    in   the    state    of  Massachusetts, 
in  1642,  and  his  name  has  always  stood  at  the  head  of  the 
list  of  the  nine  who  first  graduated  from  Harvard  College 
in  1642,  and  hence  he  has  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being 
\}s\s.  first  graduate.     He  subsequently  returned  to  England, 
and  as  a  member  of  Magdalen  Hall  he  was  admitted  to 
the  same  degree  of  M.A.  in  1648.     Shortly  afterwards  he 
was  appointed  Rector  of  Newbury  by  the  Commonwealth 
party  ;  and  was  constituted  one  of  the  Assistants  to  the 
Commissioners  of  the  County  of  Berks,  for  the  ejection  of 
such  of  the  Clergj'-  whom  the   Presbyterians   and   Inde- 
pendents termed  "  scandalous,   ignorant,  and   insufficient 
ministers  and   schoolmasters."      After  the  restoration   of 
Charles  II.  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  King's  chaplains, 
and  was  also    one   of  the  Commissioners  of  the   Savoy. 
He  was  also  offered  a  canonry  of  Windsor,  provided  he 
conformed,  but  hesitating  whether  he  should  accept  this 
dignity  or  not,  it  was  bestowed  on  another,  and  Wood- 
bridge  was  ultimately  ejected  from  his  living  for  refusing 
to  comply  with  the  Act  of  Uniformity.     He  continued 
preaching  privately  in  Newbury  for  some  time  after  he 
was  deprived,  and  was  once  or  twice  imprisoned.     In  Oc- 
tober, 1665,  upon  the  persuasion  of  some  of  his  friends  he 
received  Holy  Orders  from  the  hands  of  Dr.  Earle,  Bishop 
of  Salisbury,  in  the  church  of  St.  Peter-in-the-East,  Ox- 
ford, with  the  intention  of  conforming  with  the  Church  of 
England.     But  not  meeting  with  the  preferment  he  ex- 
pected to  be  conferred  upon  him,  and  being  reproached  for 
his  change  of  principles,  he  returned  to  his  former  opinions, 
and  preached  in  various  Nonconformist  places  of  worship 
in  Newbury  and  elsewhere.     After  the  Proclamation  for 
Toleration,  or  Indulgence  of  Religion,  was  issued,  March 
15,   1671,  Woodbridge  preached  openly  in  the   market- 
place at  Newbury;  and  in  1678  preached  every  Sunday  in 
a  chapel  at  Highclere.     Upon  the  breaking  out  of  what  is 
known  as  the  "  Presbyterian  Plot,"  in  June,  1683,  he  re- 
tired to  Englefield,  near  Reading,  and  attended,  as  fre- 


5o6  The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 

quently  as  his  health  permitted,  the  services  in  the  church 
there.  He  died  at  Englefield  on  Nov.  i,  1684,  and  was 
buried  in  Newbury  Church,  the  scene  of  his  early  minis- 
trations,  on  the  4th  of  the  same  month ;  his  funeral 
being  attended  by  a  vast  concourse  of  Nonconformists  and 
members  of  the  Church  of  England. 

It  is  not  clear  who  was  the  immediate  successor  of 
Woodbridge.  In  the  collection  of  State  Papers  there  is 
a  Petition  from  — .  Pocock,  B.D.,  to  King  Charles  II.,  re- 
questing presentation  to  the  Rectory  of  Newbury,  "  Void 
by  deprivation  of  Benjamin  Woodbridge,"  with  a  note  in 
his  (Pocock's)  favour  from  Gilbert  Sheldon,  Bishop  of 
London,  to  which  is  annexed  a  warrant  for  Pocock's  pre- 
sentation to  the  above  Rectory ;  but  there  is  no  evidence 
of  his  institution. 

A  Mr.  Hillersden  is  mentioned  as  the  "late  Incumbent" 
in  the  report  of  certain  riotous  proceedings  at  an  Easter 
Vestry,  in  1664.  His  name  does  not  occur  in  the  Salisbury 
institutions,  but  he  was  very  possibly  the  John  Hillersden, 
B.D.,  Fellow  and  Vice-President  of  Corpus  Christi  Col- 
lege, who  was  dispossessed  of  his  preferments  by  the 
Cromwellian  Visitors  in  1648,  and  became  Archdeacon  of 
Bucks  in  1671. 

Stephen  Fowler,  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  Oxford, 
brother  to  Dr.  Fowler,  Bishop  of  Gloucester,  became  Rector 
soon  after  the  expulsion  of  Woodbridge,  but  his  institution 
does  not  appear  in  the  Episcopal  Register. 

Joseph  Sayer,  instituted  October  22,  1663,  on  the  pre- 
sentation of  King  Charles  II. : — 

"This  divine,"  says  Wood,  "was  the  son  of  Francis  Sayer, 
sometime  minister  of  Yattenden,  in  Berks,  became  commoner 
{servitor  in  ist  edition)  of  Wadham  in  1647,  left  it  without  a 
degree,  taking  Holy  Orders  from  Dr.  Prideaux,  Bishop  of  Wor- 
cester, succeeded  his  brother  in  Yattenden  an.  1656,  resigned  it 
to  his  brother  Francis,  sometime  of  Merton  College,  an.  1665,  at 
which  time  Joseph  Sayer  became  Rector  of  Newbury  and  of 
Sulham  in  his  own  county  of  Berks.  In  the  month  of  May, 
1670,  he  became  Prebendary  of  Bishopton,  in  the  church  of 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church.  507 

Salisbury,  by  the  death  of  one  WilHam  Hobbes,  and  under  the 
pretence  of  being  ejected,  for  his  loyalty,  from  his  college  (which 
is  false),  he  got  himself  to  be  put  in  the  roll  of  those  whom  the 
Prince  of  Orange  desired  to  be  created  while  he  was  entertain'd 
at  Oxford.  About  which  time  he,  by  the  endeavours  of  one 
Sayer,  his  Majesty's  chief  cook '^,  procured  the  rich  rectory  of 
Northchurch  "^  in  Hertfordshire.  He  hath  published  a  sermon 
preached  at  Reading  Feb.  25,  1672,  at  the  Assizes  there  holden 
for  the  County  of  Berks,  on  Rom.  xiii.,  part  of  the  5th  verse, 
Lond.  1673,  qu.  On  December  8,  i68r,  he  was  installed  Arch- 
deacon of  Lewes,  in  Sussex,  which  is  all  that  I  have  hitherto 
known  of  him"." 

This  Rector  was  defendant  in  a  singular  action  brought 
by  the  Mayor  of  Newbury,  Mr.  Richard  Pocock,  a  solicitor 
in  the  town,  to  shew  cause  why  he  withheld  a  certificate 
of  his  having  received  the  Sacrament  according  to  the 
Statute  25  Car.  II.,  c.  2,  commonly  called  the  Test  Act. 
The  record  of  the  proceedings  in  the  case  are  among  the 
Crown  and  Controlment  Rolls  (No.  31)  at  the  Public 
Record  Office. 

John  Hinton,  M.A.,  Christ  Church  College,  Oxford, 
instituted  May  17,  1675,  on  the  presentation  of  King 
Charles  II.  Mr.  Hinton  matriculated  at  Oxford,  from 
Christ  Church,  Oct.  26,  1660,  as  a  Servitor.  No  other 
particulars  are  given  of  him  in  the  Register  of  Graduates. 
He  was  B.A.  Oct.  26,  1664,  and  M.A.  June  27,  1667  ; 
Prebend  of  Uffculme  in  the  Cathedral  Church  of  Salis- 
bury, May  19,  1683,  and  Prebend  of  Grimston  and  Yet- 
minster.  May  2,  i6gi.  Mr.  Hinton  was  also  Rector  of 
Shaw-cum-Donnington.  He  was  the  author  of  "  A  Ser- 
mon preached  in  the  Parish  Church  of  Newbury,  on  July 


"In  Berkhampstead  Church  there  is,  or  was,  an  altar-tomb  of  alabaster  and 
black  marble,  inscribed  to  the  memory  of  John  Sayer,  Esq.,  who  was  chief 
cook  to  Charles  II.  when  in  exile,  and  founder  of  the  almshouse  for  poor 
widows  in  that  town  in  1 68 1.  His  widow  increased  the  original  eirdowment 
of  ;^i,ooo  by  the  gift  of  £s°°. 

"  Northcliurch,  or  Berkhampstead  St.  Mary,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  a 
large  parish  adjoining  Berkhampstead  St.  Peter,  or  Great  Berkhampstead. 
The  village  is  on  the  high  road,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  north-west  of  the 
former  town. 

'  "Fasti  Oxonienses,"  vol.  ii.  pp.  322-3. 


5o8  The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 

26,  1685  ;  Being  the  Day  of  Thanksgiving  for  His  Ma- 
jesty's late  Victory  over  the  Rebells."  The  "Victory" 
celebrated  was  that  of  Sedgemoor,  fought  on  Monday, 
July  6,  1685.  Mr.  Hinton,  who  died  in  1720,  married 
Anne,  daughter  of  Edward  Martin,  Esq.,  of  Witney,  by  his 
wife  Anne  Brice,  and  had,  with  other  issue,  a  son  Edward, 
who  became  Rector  of  Sherring,  in  Essex,  and  married 
Mary,  daughter  and  eventually  heiress  of  the  Rev.  Francis 
Bridge,  D.D.,  by  whom  he  had  an  only  child,  Martha, 
married  in  1745  to  her  cousin,  the  Rev.  John  Hinton, 
Rector  of  Chawton,  near  Alton,  Hants. 

Joseph  Acres,  B.A.,  All  Souls  College,  Oxford,  was  in- 
stituted May  7,  1720,  on  the  presentation  of  King  George  I. 
He  was  the  son  of  John  Acres,  of  East  Hagbourne,  Berks, 
and  matriculated  at  Oxford,  from  All  Souls  College, 
Dec.  16,  1684,  aged  17,  and  took  his  Bachelor's  Degree 
July  5,  1688.  Previous  to  his  appointment  to  Newbury  he 
was  Vicar  of  Blewbury.  He  was  author  of  "  Four  Letters 
written  to  Lady  Burnet,  late  wife  of  the  Right  Reverend 
Father  in  God,  Gilbert,  Lord  Bishop  of  Sarum  :  concerning 
the  Charity  Schools  in  Blewberry,"  Lond.  1710.  Mr.  Acres 
was  also  author  of  two  published  discourses  "  On  the  true 
method  of  propagating  Religion,"  8vo.  17 14.  He  is  said 
to  have  died  in  great  poverty  on  January  4,  1746,  and  was 
buried  at  Hagbourne,  near  Blewbury.  Two  of  his  daughters 
were  in  such  reduced  circumstances  as  to  be  compelled  to 
accept  one  of  King  John's  Almshouses  in  Newbury,  where 
they  both  died. 

Thomas  Penrose,  M.A.,  instituted,  on  death  of  last,  Jan- 
uary 26,  1746,  by  presentation  of  King  George  IL  He 
was  the  son  of  Bernard  Penrose,  of  Helstone,  co.  Cornwall, 
and  matriculated  from  Christ  Church,  April  30,  1734,  aged 
18.  He  was  B.A.  January  24,  1737,  and  M.A.  October 
13,  1740.  For  some  time  previous  to  his  appointment  as 
Rector  he  had  been  curate  to  the  late  Incumbent,  and  was 
presented  to  the  living  of  Newbury  at  the  solicitation  of 
the  parishioners,  and  on  the  recommendation  of  Dr.  Sher- 
lock, Bishop  of  Salisbury.     Mr.  Penrose,  who  died  in  1769, 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church.  509 

was  the  father  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Penrose,  well  known 
for  his  poetical  genius,  and  who  for  some  years  acted  as 
his  father's  curate  at  Newbury. 

Richard  Davies,  M.A.,  was  instituted,  on  death  of  the 
late  Rector,  June  20,  1769,  on  presentation  of  King  George 
III.  There  were  several  graduates  of  the  name  of  Davies 
at  Oxford  from  1727  to  1756  (no  less  than  eight),  but  the 
only  one  who  became  M.A.  (according  to  the  catalogue  of 
graduates),  whose  date  would  agree  with  the  college  course 
of  the  Rector  of  Newbury,  matriculated  from  Christ  Church 
Nov.  7,  1739,  aged  18,  son  of  the  Rev.  Roger  Davies,  of 
the  town  of  Carmarthen.  He  took  his  Bachelor's  Degree 
June  9,  1743,  and  proceeded  M.A.  July  4,  1746.  He  held 
the  living  of  Highclere,  with  that  of  Newbury,  and  died 
at  Southampton,  October  13,  1796. 

James  Roe,  M.A.,  Brasenose  College,  Oxford,  instituted 
January  31,  1797,  on  death  of  last  Rector,  by  presenta- 
tion of  King  George  III.  He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev. 
James  Roe,  of  Macclesfield,  co.  Chester,  and  matriculated 
at  Oxford,  from  Brasenose  College,  May  10,  1777,  aged 
18.  He  took  his  degree  as  B.A.  January  15,  1781,  and 
M.A.  June  3,  1793.  His  father,  who  had  been  Incumbent 
of  Disley,  in  Cheshire,  from  July  31,  1733,  was  appointed 
Minister  of  Macclesfield  in  1756^  and  held  both  livings  till 
his  death  in  1765.  He  was  of  St.  John's  College,  Cam- 
bridge. The  son  James,  afterwards  of  Newbury,  was  bap- 
tized at  Macclesfield  Sept.  8,  1758.  His  mother  was 
Ehzabeth  Harpur  of  Macclesfield,  and  his  parents  were 
married  at  Sutton,  near  Macclesfield,  January  2,  1753. 
James  Roe,  the  father,  was  son  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Roe, 
Vicar  of  Castleton,  co.  Derby.  Christ  Church,  Maccles- 
field, was  erected  in  177S,  at  the  sole  cost  of  Charles  Roe, 
Esq.,  uncle  of  James,  the  Rector  of  Newbury,  who  en- 
dowed it  with  ;£'ioo  per  annum  for  the  Minister.  Mr. 
Roe,  who  was  a  wealthy  manufacturer  at  Macclesfield, 
died  May  3,  1781  ;  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  chancel  of 
Christ  Church,  in  that  town,  there  is  a  handsome  monu- 
ment, by  Bacon,  erected  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Roe,  the 


5 10  The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 

founder  of  the  church.  It  is  ornamented  with  devices 
emblematic  of  his  mathematical  genius,  and  bears  an  in- 
scription commemorative  of  his  acquaintance  with  the 
mineral  strata  of  the  county,  of  his  having  discovered  the 
valuable  mine  in  the  Isle  of  Anglesey,  and  established  the 
copper  works  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Macclesfield.  The 
Rev.  James  Roe  died  July  9,  1838,  aged  80,  and  was  the 
last  Rector  of  Newbury  instituted  by  a  Bishop  of  Salis- 
bury. At  the  time  Mr.  Roe  was  presented  to  the  living  of 
Newbury  he  was  Perpetual  Curate  of  Dorchester,  Oxon, 
and  he  retained  this  appointment  until  his  death — for  the 
long  period  of  53  years. 

Hibbert  Binney,  D.C.L.,  instituted  July  24,  1838,  on  the 
presentation  of  her  Majesty  Queen  Victoria.  The  name 
of  this  Rector  does  not  occur  in  the  list  of  Graduates  at 
Oxford,  Cambridge,  or  Dublin,  but  possibly  he  had  the 
degree  conferred  by  some  American,  or  Colonial  insti- 
tution. His  son,  the  Right  Rev.  Hibbert  Binney,  D.D., 
who  is  the  present  Bishop  of  Nova  Scotia  and  Prince  Ed- 
ward Island,  matriculated  at  Oxford,  from  Worcester  Col- 
lege, March  29,  1838,  aged  18,  and  is  described  as  eldest 
son  of  Hibbert  Binney,  "  Clerk  and  D.C.L.,"  and  the  place 
of  his  birth  is  given  as  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia.  Dr.  Binney 
was  also  Minister  of  Holy  Trinity  Chapel,  Knightsbridge, 
London,  but  there  is  no  account  of  him  furnished  in  the 
history  of  that  parish,  beyond  the  dates  of  his  incumbency 
of  the  chapel.  He  is  said  to  have  had  the  living  of  New- 
bury conferred  upon  him  for  the  assistance  he  gave  the 
Ministry  of  the  day,  in  connection  with  the  Pluralities  Bill, 
although  a  Pluralist  himself 

James  Leslie  Randall,  M.A.,  Christ  Church  College, 
Oxford,  collated  September  5,  1857,  on  death  of  Dr.  Bin- 
ney, by  Samuel  Wilberforce,  D.D.,  Lord  Bishop  of  Oxford. 
He  matriculated  at  Oxford  from  New  College,  May  6, 
1848,  aged  19,  as  second  son  of  James  Randall,  clerk, 
(afterwards  Archdeacon  of  Berks),  and  born  at  Dorking, 
Surrey.     He  took  his  degree  of  B.A.  1851,  and  proceeded 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church.  5 1 1 

M.A.  1855.  He  was  Scholar  and  Fellow  of  New  College, 
and  in  1880  was  appointed  Archdeacon  of  Buckingham, 
and  is  a  Hon.  Canon  of  Christ  Church,  Oxford. 

The  great  Church-work  done  in  Newbury  during  the 
time  Mr.  Randall  held  the  living,  and  in  which  he  took 
such  an  active  and  decided  part,  was  remarkable ;  it 
being  computed  that  the  large  sum  of  ^^40,000  was  ex- 
pended in  connection  with  Church  institutions  in  the 
parish  while  he  was  Rector. 

Edward Imber  Gardiner,  M.A.,  collated  March  12,  1878, 
on  resignation  of  James  Leslie  Randall,  by  John  Fielder 
Mackarness,  D.D.,  Lord  Bishop  of  Oxford.  He  matri- 
culated at  Oxford,  from  Magdalen  Hall,  Dec.  3,  1857, 
second  son  of  Douglas  Charles  Gardiner,  Esq.,  of  Lon- 
don. He  held  curacies  successively  at  Taunton,  Stowe, 
and  Buckingham,  and  was  Vicar  of  Aston- Rowant  when 
presented  to  the  living  of  Newbury. 


CHURCHWARDENS  OF  NEWBURY. 
{So  far  as  their  names  can  be  ascertained.) 


1552. 

Thomas  Dolman. 

Anthony  Harmer. 

William  Blandy. 

Richard  Coke. 

1560. 

Christopher  Lichpole. 

Thomas  Arnold. 

Humfrey  Holmes. 

Richard  Coke. 

1562. 

John  Millet. 

Humfrey  Holmes. 

Richard  Coke. 

1562- 

3.  John  Millet. 

Richard  Coke. 

Humfrey  Holmes. 

Thomas  Reinolds. 

1563- 

Humfrey  Holmes. 

Christopher  Chandler. 

Richard  Coke. 

Thomas  Arnold. 

1564. 

Richard  Coke. 

1582. 

John  Fuller. 

William  Black. 

1583- 

Gabriell  Cocks. 

Edward  Holmes. 

William  Hunt. 

Richard  Cheife. 

1594- 

John  Hunt. 

Bartholomew  Yate. 

Edward  Holmes. 

IS9S- 

John  Hunt. 

Bartholomew  Yate. 

Edward  Holmes. 

si; 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 


1596. 

John  Hunt. 

Bartholomew  Yate. 

Edward  Holmes. 

1600. 

Thomas  Newman. 

I60I. 

Roger  Lynch  e. 

Thomas  Holmes. 

1602. 

Christopher  Graunte. 

Thomas  Gayger. 

1603. 

Roger  Weston. 

Henry  Yate. 

1604. 

Henry  Coxe. 

Humfrey  Holmes. 

1605. 

Anthony  Child. 

Thomas  Yate. 

1606. 

John  Woodes. 

William  Howes. 

1607. 

Thomas  Goddard. 

Nicholas  Batchiler. 

1608. 

Roger  Saunderson. 

Henry  Lynch. 

1609. 

William  Saunders. 

Richard  Waller. 

t6io. 

Humfrey  Naylor. 

William  Lynch. 

1611. 

John  Houghton. 

Stephen  Sparrowe. 

1612. 

Richard  Ball. 

Edmond  Joyner. 

1613. 

Roger  Lynch. 

Edward  Longman. 

1614. 

Thomas  Houghton. 

William  Wilkinson. 

1615. 

Nicholas  Batchiler. 

William  Houghton. 

1616. 

Thomas  Gyles,  sen. 

Thomas  Edmandes. 

1617. 

William  Saunders. 

Hugh  Hawkins. 

1618. 

Richard  Waller. 

Thomas  Holmes. 

1619. 

Richard  Aberye. 

Hugh  Hawkins. 

1620. 

William  Lynch. 

Gyles  Emerson. 

1621. 

John  Houghton. 

Thomas  Gyles,  jun. 

1622. 

Roger  Lynch. 

Martin  Brooker. 

1623. 

William  Wilson. 

Griffin  Ffoster. 

1624. 

William  Houghton. 

Thomas  Mylton. 

1625. 

Thomas  White. 

Robert  Bacon. 

1626. 

William  Hunt. 

William  Pearse. 

1627. 

Thomas  Dove. 

John  Cooke. 

1628. 

Bryant  Mascoll. 

Timothie  Averie. 

1629. 

William  Weston. 

Robert  Dance. 

1630. 

Benjamin  Houghton. 

Edward  Welliar  or  Whelier. 

1631. 

William  Godwin. 

John  Hawkins. 

1632. 

William  Nash. 

Anthonie  Lynch. 

1633- 

William  Wilson. 

John  Rider. 

1634. 

Thomas  Dove. 

William  Bewe. 

1635- 

Bryan  Mascoll. 

Amos  Averie. 

1636. 

Timothie  Averie. 

Symon  Goddard. 

1637. 

William  Pearse. 

John  Edmandes. 

1638. 

Nicholas  Nash. 

Richard  Claver. 

The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church.  5 1 3 


1639.  John  Burch. 

1640.  Richard  Ffanner. 

1 64 1.  Bryan  Linch. 

1642.  Thomas  Helliar. 

1643.  Henry  Houghton. 

1644.  Richard  Folwell. 

1645.  John  Gyles. 

1646.  ShufiF  Pinfall. 

1647.  James  Heade. 

1648.  Samuel  Smith. 

1649.  William  Waller. 

1650.  Robert  Willson. 

165 1.  Thomas  Pearse. 

1652.  Nicholas  Cloude. 

1653.  John  Edmands. 

1654.  John  Seely. 

1655.  Thomas  Merriman. 

1656.  Henry  Ditton. 

1657.  John  Ffoster. 

1658.  John  Cooke. 

1659.  Thomas  Cowslad. 

1660.  John  Burch. 

1 66 1.  Richard  Pinfall. 

1662.  John  Rider. 

1663.  John  Hedges. 

1664.  Richard  Pococke. 

1665.  Richard  Young. 

1666.  William  Pearse. 

1667.  Thomas  Paradise. 

1668.  Thomas  Aden. 

1669.  Abraham  Stockwell. 

1670.  Jonas  Narraway. 

167 1.  Francis  Coxedd. 

1672.  Joseph  Garrard. 

1673.  James  Pearse. 

1674.  Thomas  Salter. 

1675.  Richard  Cowslad. 

1676.  Timothy  Parsons. 

1677.  Richard  Willton. 

1678.  John  BurchelL 

1679.  Church  Symmons. 


Thomas  Martin. 

Richard  Cooke. 

Ralph  Houghton. 

William  Barnard. 

Richard  Brice. 

Robert  Blunt. 

John  Seely. 

Thomas  Stockwell. 

Thomas  Taylor. 

Thomas  Gearinge. 

Henry  Linch. 

Richard  Sadler. 

James  Bond,  jun. 

George  Cowslad. 

Nathaniel  Collins. 

William  Hunt. 

Henry  Gearle. 

Amos  Averie. 

John  Dance. 

Richard  Waller. 
John  Nash. 
William  Houghton. 
Thomas  Gough. 
Levy  Smith. 
Robert  Hyde. 
Nicholas  Shawe. 
John  Pinfall. 
William  Smart. 
Thomas  Tolfrey. 
John  Smyth. 
Thomas  Basford. 
Robert  Tuson. 
William  Ffarrow. 
Richard  Reeves. 
Thomas  Rowland. 
Joseph  Pearse. 
John  Garden. 
Thomas  Pithers. 
Henry  Houghton. 
Benjamin  Averie. 
Thomas  Hughes. 


Ll 


514 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 


1680.  John  Foster,  jun. 

1 68 1.  John  Hore. 

1682.  Joseph  Head. 

1683.  Abraham  Stockwell. 
1684-5.  Edward  Kidgell. 

1686.  Richard  Gray. 

1687.  Thomas  Merriman. 

1688.  Ralph  Shirley. 

1689.  Thomas  Cowslad. 

1690.  William  Rider. 

1 691.  Richard  Blissitt. 

1692.  Thomas  Drewet. 
1693-5.  Thomas  Edmonds. 
1696.  Edward  Serle. 


1697-9.  Joseph  Merriman. 
1700-1.  Thomas  Stockwell. 
1702-4.  Abraham  Stockwell. 

1705.  Edward  Stewart. 

1706.  John  Hughes. 

1707.  John  Parsons. 
1708-10.  Edward  Smith. 
1711-14.  Robert  Nalder. 

1 7 15.  William  Townsend. 

1 7 16.  Francis  Page. 

17 17-18.  Laurence  Head. 
1719-21.  Samuel  Slocock. 
1722-4.  John  Golding. 
1725.  William  Ely. 
1726-7.  James  Butler. 
1728-30.  John  Godwin. 
1731-3.  Edward  Walter. 
1734-5-  John  Cox. 
1736-7.  Joseph  Bolton. 
1738-40.  Thomas  Golding. 

1741.  William  Reeves. 

1742.  Charles  Sutton. 

1743.  Charles  Sutton. 
1744-5.  Charles  Sutton. 
1 746-8.  Henry  Cox. 


John  Beacham. 
John  Hedges. 
Bartholomew  Hughes. 
Thomas  Seely. 
Adam  Hill. 
Adam  Hill. 
Adam  Hill. 
Adam  Hill. 
Samuel  Hoffman. 
Samuel  Slocock. 
John  Rawlings. 
Matthew  Gilles. 
Richard  Cooper. 
William  Tolefrey  (died  during 
office,  and  was  succeeded  by) 
William  Deale. 
William  Deale. 
Nicholas  Snow. 
Thomas  Wright. 
Joseph  Parsons. 
Thomas  Hull. 
John  Gray. 
John  Gray. 
Edward  Lovelock. 
Thomas  Milsam. 
Thomas  Ffound. 
Peter  Ely. 
William  Russell. 
John  Aldworth. 
John  Hughes. 
Giles  Townsend. 
John  Wellman. 
John  Weeks. 
John  Speed. 
Nightingale  Kimber. 
Richard  Walter. 
William  Lovidge. 
William  Lovidge. 
"William  Reeves. 
Thomas  Golding. 
George  Calverley. 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 


SIS 


1749-52.  Samuel  Slocock. 
1 7 S3-  Peter  Ely. 
1754-6.  Peter  Ely. 
1757.  John  Kimber. 
1758-60.  Blandy  Bunny. 
1761-3.  William  Withers. 
1764-6.  Edward  Swain. 
1767-9.  Thomas  Green. 
1770-2.  Richard  Skinner. 

1773.  Samuel  Slocock. 

1774.  Samuel  Slocock. 
1775-6.  Osman  Vincent. 
1777-8.  John  Townsend. 
1779-80.  Lawrence  Brown. 

1781.  James  Butler. 

1782.  Joseph  Gray. 
1783-4.  John  Grantham. 
1785-6.  John  Townsend. 
1787-9.  Benjamin  Woodroffe. 

1790.  Benjamin  Woodroffe. 

1 79 1.  Christopher  Butler. 

1792.  William  Wrenford. 

1793.  Joseph  Toomer. 

1794.  James  Bodman. 

1795.  William  Twitchen. 
1796-8.  William  Vincent. 
1799-1801.  Samuel  Grigg. 
1802-4.  Samuel  Grigg. 

1805.  Richard  Atlee. 

1806.  Richard  Compton. 

1807.  William  Green. 

1808.  William  Davis. 

1809.  George  Barnard. 

1810.  Richard  Compton. 
1811-13.  Alfred  Slocock. 
1814-16.  Alfred  Slocock. 
1817-21.  John  Grigg. 
1822-4.  John  Gater  Marriner. 
1825-30.  Edmund  Slocock. 
1831.  John  Langford. 
1832-5.  Robert  Fuller  Graham. 


Joseph  Gray. 
John  Kimber. 
Thomas  Lovidge. 
William  Annets. 
William  Annets. 
John  Hasker. 
William  Herring. 
George  Kimber. 
Thomas  Davis. 
Richard  Townsend. 
Andrew  Grove. 
Andrew  Grove. 
George  Wright. 
Richard  Baily. 
Samuel  Toomer. 
Thomas  Brown. 
John  Hasker. 
Edward  Pointer. 
William  Bodman. 
Richard  Golding. 
John  Webb. 
Benjamin  Hawkins. 
Henry  Spicer. 
Richard  Andrews. 
Nathaniel  Coster. 
Nathaniel  Coster. 
Samuel  Buxton. 
Charles  Bull. 
Charles  Bull. 
Samuel  Dyer. 
Samuel  Dyer. 
John  Childs. 
John  Childs. 
Thomas  Wilmott. 
Thomas  Wilmott. 
Richard  Holdway. 
John  Fielder. 
John  Lee. 
Daniel  Atlee. 
Richard  Avery. 

George  Gray  (died  during  office) 
1  2 


5 1 6  The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 

1836.  Robert  Fuller  Graham  (surviving  churchwarden). 

1837-8.  James  Hazell.  Thomas  Simmons. 

1839.  James  Hazell.  Thomas  Leonard. 

1840.  John  Hasker.  Edward  William  Gray. 
1841-2.  John  Beckett.  Abraham  Kershaw. 
1843-5.  John  Beckett.  Robert  Martin. 
1846-51.  Jere'  Bunny.  Broome  Pinniger. 

1852-5.  WilHam  John  Cowper.      Joseph  Frederick  Hickman. 

1856.  Christopher  Royston.  George  Adey. 

1857.  Thomas  Gurney.  George  Adey. 
1858-62.  James  Porteus  Jackson.  George  Adey. 
1863-83.  James  Porteus  Jackson.  Francis  Flower  Somerset. 
1883.   Henry  Watson,  M.D.  William  George  Adey. 

(The  last-named  are  still  in  office.) 


The  Organists  of  the  Church. 

The  appointment  of  organist  of  the  parish  church  of 
Newbury  is  vested  in  the  Mayor  and  Corporation,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  will  of  Richard  Cowslade,  a  great  bene- 
factor to  the  town,  who,  by  deed,  made  provision  for  pay- 
ing an  organist  .^30  a  year,  in  addition  to  the  sum  of  £^ 
yearly  for  repairing  the  organ. 

The  first  organist  whose  name  appears  in  the  parochial 
records  is  Richard  Goodson,  of  Christ  Church  College, 
Oxford,  who  graduated  Mus.  Bac.  March  i,  1716.  He 
was  appointed  organist  of  Newbury  Church  in  1709,  and 
occupied  this  position  until  the  year  17 18,  when  he  suc- 
ceeded his  father  as  organist  of  Christ  Church,  and  Pro- 
fessor of  Music  in  the  University.  He  was  also  organist 
of  New  College.  His  father  was  buried  in  Christ  Church 
Cathedral,  January  15,  1717-18,  as  "Mr.  Richard  Goodson, 
Professor  of  Music;"  his  mother,  Mary  Goodson,  Aug.  31, 
1733;  and  himself,  January  7,  1740-1,  as  "Mr.  Richard 
Goodson,  Professor  of  Music,  and  Organist." 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  succeeding  organists 
so  far  as  they  can  be  ascertained  : — 


The  Rectors  and  Officers  of  the  Church. 


517 


Name. 

.   .   Wheeler    . 
Peter  Perfitt  (of  Wells) 
Joseph  Welsh 
George  Henry  Arrowsmith 
John  Byfield 
George  Godding 
Jas.  Henry  Godding     . 
John  Shepherd  Liddle 


Died  1759. 

Died  1790. 

May  25,  1790.  Res.  1804. 

Sept.  23,  1805.  Died  1812. 

Aug.  15,  1812.  Died  1833. 

July  9,  1833.  Res.  1865. 

Feb.    3,  1865.  Died  1884. 
May  13,  1884. 


CHAPTER   V. 


trbe  Cburcb  1Recor5s. 

The  Parish  Registers. — Collections  by  Briefs  in  Newbury  Parish  Church.— 
Churchwardens'  Presentments.  —  Extracts  from  the  Churchwardens' 
Accounts. — The  Church  Charities. 

The  Parishes  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  Newbury,  and  St. 
Mary's,  Speenhamland. — St. John's  Church.— St.  Mary's  Church. 

The  Parochial  Registers. 

THE  Registers  of  Newbury  Church  are  perhaps  as  per- 
fect as  any  to  be  found.  In  marry  places  the  Regis- 
ters were  discontinued  after  the  accession  of  Queen  Mary 
and  resumed  at  the  commencement  of  Elizabeth's  reign, 
but  the  Newbury  Registers  of  Baptisms,  Marriages,  and 
Burials,  are  complete  from  1538,  the  year  when  parish 
registers  were  instituted  by  Thomas,  Lord  Cromwell,  lord 
privy  seal,  and  vicar-general  to  Henry  VHI. 

The  earliest  Registers  from  1538  to  the  first  quarter  of  the 
seventeenth  century  are  transcripts  from  the  originals.  After 
that  time  the  Registers  for  the  most  part  are  regular,  and 
seem  to  have  been  contemporary  with  the  event  recorded, 
but  during  the  time  of  the  civil  wars  the  entries  are  few  and 
irregular.  Some  portion  of  the  Registers  in  the  seventeenth 
century  has  been  transcribed  in  very  indifferent  hand- 
writing, and  the  names  being  contracted  it  is  difficult  for 
a  person  who  is  not  familiar  with  the  old  Newbury  families 
to  decipher  what  in  many  cases  are  little  better  than  hiero- 
glyphics. Some  of  the  leaves  have  also  suffered  so  much 
by  damp  and  constant  use  that  the  writing  is  almost 
illegible.  There  are  several  entries  written  by  Dr.  Twisse, 
Prolocutor  of  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines,  and 
the  names  of  different  members  of  his  family  frequently 
occur. 


The  Church  Records.  5 1 9 

By  an  Act  passed  August  24,  1653,  by  the  Cromwellian 
Parliament,  marriages  were  ordered  to  be  solemnized  by 
the  justices  of  the  peace,  and  no  other  mode  allowed  to  be 
valid ;  but  the  Act  was  distasteful  to  many,  and  it  was 
often  avoided  by  having  the  ceremony  performed  by  the 
minister,  while  the  justice  merely  stood  by  as  a  witness. 
There  are  numerous  marriages  recorded  in  the  Newbury 
Registers  which  took  place  under  this  Act. 

In  accordance  with  an  Act  passed  12  Car.  II.  cap.  33, 
all  marriages  irregularly  contracted  after  May  i,  1642, 
were  confirmed,  and  those  celebrated  before  justices  of  the 
peace,  according  to  the  Act  of  1653,  were  pronounced  to  be 
of  the  same  force  as  if  they  had  been  solemnized  according 
to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  England. 

In  such  instances  the  marriages  entered  in  the  Registers 
are  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  Blunt,  Mayor,  1656. 

"  Thomas  Howeson  and  Mary  Southwell.  3  Market  Dayes  and 
publisht  the  first  time  March  27,  the  second  time  April  3,  the 
last  time  April  10,  and  married  April  12. 

John  Farmer,  alias  Hasell,  and  Mary  ColHns.  John  of  the 
parish  of  Welford,  and  Mary  of  the  parish  of  Boxford,  Have  Bin 
publisht  3  Severall  Lord's  Dayes  in  the  parish  Church  of  Welford 
by  Francis  Mundy,  Minister,  and  also  3  Severall  Lords  Dayes 
in  the  parish  Church  of  Boxford,  Edward  Hutchins,  Minister 
and  was  married  the  2nd  October,  1656. 

John  Harris  and  Jane  Collins,  Booth  of  Stanford  Dingly,  hath 
bin  publisht  3  severall  Markett  Dayes  at  the  Markett  place,  in 
East  Ilseley,  and  was  married  the  9  of  October,  1656,  By  Martin 
Wastell,  Register. 

John  Collet  and  Ann  Crooke  Have  bin  publisht  3  Severall 
Lord's  Dayes  in  the  parish  Church  of  Newberry,  and  married  the 
16  of  October,  1656. 

Thomas  Cripes  and  Jane  Jones,  Booth  of  Sta;iford  Dingly, 
Have  Bin  publisht  3  Severall  Markett  Dayes  at  the  Cross «  in 
Newbery,  and  was  married  October  20,  1656, 

■  The  Market  Cross  is  shewn  in  Stukeley's  plan  of  the  town  in  1723,  to 
have  been  then  standing  on  the  south-east  side  of  the  Market-place,  at  the 
south  end  of  the  old  market-house,  or  Guildhall. 


520  The  Church  Records. 

Francis  Castilyon,  Esquier,  of  the  parish  of  Speene,  and  Mrs. 
Margeret  Barker  of  this  parish,  Have  Bin  pubHsht  3  Severall 
Lordes  Dayes  in  the  parish  Church  of  Newbery,  without  any 
Deniall  By  me  John  Timberland,  Register,  and  was  married  the 
17  November,  1656,  Mr.  Richard  Finchare,  Justis." 

John  Gyles,  Mayor,  1657. 

"  WilHam  George  and  EHzabeth  Money  were  publisht  3  Severall 
weekes  in  the  nearest  Markett  Towne,  By  William  Blandy,  Regis- 
ter, and  were  married  January  ye  1 2. 

William  Parsons  and  Mary  Bartholomew,  Booth  of  the  parish 
of  Midgium,  was  publisht  3  Severall  Market  Dayes  at  the  Markett 
Cross  in  Newbery,  and  was  married  November  5,  1657,  By  me, 
John  Gyles,  Maior." 

Collections  in  Newbury  Parish  Church. 

Amounts  of  many  of  the  collections  have  been  pre- 
served in  the  Registers.  Those  for  objects  not  connected 
with  Newbury  were  generally  by  Briefs,  or  Letters  Patent 
issued  by  the  Sovereign,  authorizing  the  collection  of  alms 
for  loss  by  fire  and  other  specific  works  of  charity,  and 
read  after  the  Nicene  Creed  ;  and  which  were  abolished 
by  9  George  IV.  c.  28,  in  1828. 

Some  of  the  Brief  Collections. 

1661  to  1662.  For  the  Tallow  Chand-        /  s.  d. 

£  ^'  "■  ler  of  Maidstone  .       o  14    4 

Ilmmster,  Somerset       .^86  ■c'       ^^       -n    ^    ^     ^  r 

„      , ,      '     „                          J     "     "  Poj.  ti^e   Protestants  of 

bouthbay    (Southwold),  y  -^u 

„    „  „  Lithuania  .         .  .        i   12     4 


Suffolk       .         .         .696 


For    Dalby  -  Chalcombe 


Condover,  Salop  .         .  i   17  4             r^i,      t,          t    •      ^ 

„   ^     ,                "^  '  ^             Church,  CO.  Leicester        01^     o 

Oxford ....  2     2  4 

Elmley-Castle,  co.  Wor- 
cester        .         .         .  I   18  2 


Easthampstead,  Berks  o  16  10 

For  Hixham  .         .       i   16     o 

For  Heslerton,  co.York       o  16    o 


Itchin-Abbas,  Dorset    .  13 

Bolingbroke,  CO.  Lincoln  o  15  4  J  loo3- 

Little  Melton,  Norfolk  o  19  10  ^°'^  Grimsby,  in  the  co. 

Bridgnorth    .       '.         .  o  18  6  of  Lincoln           .         .       o     8  lo^ 


Ripon,  CO.  York    . 
Fleet  Street,  London 
Pontefract  Church 
Philip  Dandulow  . 
For  the  Fishing  Trade 


Q  J  I-  Q  For  East  Hendred,  Berks      012    ^^ 

J     J  g  For  the  repair  of  Sand- 

,-,  jg  ,  wich  Church,  Kent    .      o  10    3 

0  19  6  1664  to  1667. 

1  19  2  For  Grantham       .         .       o  12     9 


The  Church  Records. 


521 


o 

12 

4 

o 

10 

0 

o 

10 

0 

o 

9 

0 

o 

13 

I 

o 

15 

9 

For  the  repair  of  St.  Mi-      £    s.    d. 
chael  Church,  Somerset     o  10    8 J 
For  one  Henry  Lisle  of 

GuisboroughjCO.York       on     8 
For   the  building   of   a 
Pier  and  repair  of  a 
Church  at  Cromer 
For  Basing  Church 
For  Ilford  Bridge 
Lymington  Church 
For  Mr.  Butte 
ForStillingfleet,  co.York 
Flookborough,  co.  Lan- 
caster        .         .         .       o  14     9 
Sheriff- Hales,  CO.  Salop        o  13     o 
For  Thomas  Sloper       .       o  10  loj 
Chalbury,  co.  Dorset     .       012     6 J 
East  Dean,  co.  Hants.  .      o  10    S 
Warborough,  co.  Oxford     o    8     8J 
For  John  Osborne         .       0106 
Bishops-Cleeve.co.Glouc     o  13     2 
Melcombe  -  Regis,     co. 

Dorset  .  .  .  o  13  5 
ForKington,  CO.  Hereford  o  12  5 
Poole,  CO.  Dorset  .        .      o  11     8 

1667. 
Newport       .        .        .       i     4  10 
For  John  Cook,  of  Wick- 
ham  .        .        .       o  13     9 
Loughborough       .         .       o  12     4 

1668. 

Bradninch,  co.  Devon    .  0153 

Fovant,  co.  Wilts  .        .  o  1 1     9 

Bicester,  co.  Oxford      .  o  18    6 

1669. 
For  Captives  in  Algiers 

and  Gaily  [?Galle]  .  I  17  o 
Collected  for  John  Stewk- 

ly,  of  Paddington       .       o  1 5     5 
1670. 
Collected    for    Cotting- 

ham,  CO.  Northampton  o  18  9 
For  Inhabitants  of  Thet- 

ford,  CO.  Norfolk  .  o  17  11 
For  the  Mariners  having 

been  in  slavery  in  Gaily  o  18  5 
Isleham,  co.  Cambridge       126 


£ 
o 

o 
o 


s. 
5 

15 
18 


19  10 
9    2 


Ripley,  in  co.  Surrey 
For  Michael  Fowler,  of 
Gt.  Chart,  co.  Kent   . 
Somersham,  co.  Hunts 

1671. 
For  the  town  of  Mere, 

Wilts 
For  Enfold  . 
For  Steeple-Ashton        .        159 
For  Bygrave,  co.  Hertford   241 

1672. 
Fordingbridge  (Fire)     .      9    3    4 

1673. 
Towards  Guildford  Bridge   i 
For  St.  Martin's  in  London   2 
For  Lawrence-Waltham       o 
Towards  Brief  for   Ed- 
mund Slingar,  of  Lit- 
tleton, CO.  Middlesex 


o 
I 

16 


o  10    3i 


1675- 
Watton,  CO.  Norfolk 
Basingstoke  . 

1676. 
Northampton 
Newent,  co.  Gloucester, 

towards   building   the 

church 
Towards   the  church  of 

Westbury,  co.  Salop  . 
Towards  the  fire  of  Wy- 

tham,  CO.  Berks 
For  the  relief  of  Samuel 

Field,  of  Wickham     . 

1677  to  1684. 
Eaton  Brief  . 
St.  Saviour's,  Southwark 
For  loss  by  fire  at  Cot- 

tenham 
Wem    .... 
Rickmansworth     . 
Blandford-Forum  . 
Harlington,  co.  Middlesex 
Reigate,  co.  Surrey 
Pattingham,  co.  Stafford      o  18 
Windlesham,  co.  Surrey      o  14 


I 
I 

18 


6  14  10 


I  17 


2  19    9 


I     3 
I  12 


6 
II 

3 
o 

9 
o 
o 

S 
I 

3 


522 


The  Church  Records. 


£  - 

d. 

£ 

s. 

d. 

Ludgershall  . 

I    0 

10 

Havant 

0 

17 

4 

1684. 
Wapping 

Ledbury 

0 

IS 

3 

6  12 

3 

Chagford,  co.  Devon     . 

0 

19 

0 

Portsmouth  Church 

I  10 

0 

1693. 

Worksop,  CO.  Nottingham 

0  12 

6 

Lambeth 

I 

2 

7 

1685. 
Staverton,  co.  Northampto 
Cawston,  co.  Norfolk    . 

WooUer,  co.    Northum- 

no 19 
0  15 

6 
II 

berland 
Churchhill,  CO.  Oxford  . 

0 
0 

15 
13 

0 

4 

Alrewas,  co.  Stafford     . 
Beaminster,  co.  Dorset  . 
Bulford,  Wilts       . 
Donhead,  co.  Wilts 
Alfriston,  co.  Sussex 

0  18 

1  I 
0  14 
0    8 
0  12 

4 
0 
0 
0 
I 

1694. 

For  Dennis  Gunton,  of 
the    town    of    Wick- 
mere,  CO.  Norfolk 

For  the  French  Protestants 

0 

6 

14 
9 

S 
6 

Haxby,  co.  York  . 

0  13 

4 

1695. 

St.  Mary's  in  the  city  of 

Yalding,  co.  Kent 

0 

19 

0 

Ely    . 

0  13 

6 

A   Church    in   the   City 

Market  -  Deeping,      co. 

of  Chester 

0 

10 

0 

Lincoln 

0  19 

3i 

Warwick  (Fire)     . 

17 

II 

6 

Kirklinton,      co.     Cum- 

Fire at  Gillingham,  co. 

berland 

0  14 

"i 

Dorset 

0 

17 

8 

Sicklinghall,  co.  York  . 

0  13 

0 

Fire     at     Grantchester, 

Stanton,  co.  Suffolk 

0  12 

0 

CO.  Cambridge  . 

0 

13 

3 

1 685. 

1696. 

For  the  FrenchProtestants 
City  of  Hereford    . 
Eynesbury   Church,   co. 

31  13 
I     0 

7 
II 

For  John  Avery,  of  Twy- 
ford,  CO.  Southampton 
(Loss  by  fire)      . 

0 

9 

S4 

Hunts 

0  II 

3i 

Broughton,  co.  Southampton  0 

IS 

6 

1689. 

St.  Olave's,  Southwark  - 

0 

14 

3 

For  the  Irish  Protestants 

50    3 

I 

Streatham,   in   the    Isle 

1690. 

of  Ely 

0 

12 

6 

Bungay  (Fire) 

9  14 

I 

1698. 

East  Smithfield      . 

I     0 

Si 

Soham,  co.  Suffolk 

0 

15 

0 

Stafford 

0  14 

2 

For    the    Vaudois    and 

Bishop's  Lavington 

0  12 

II 

French  Refugees 

31 

2 

10 

Morpeth  (Fire)       . 

0  13 

3 

For    a   fire     in    Derby 

Thirsk           ... 

0  13 

0 

Court,  Westminster    . 

1 

0 

8 

1692. 

1699. 

Hedon,  co.  York  . 

0  19 

7i 

For  Laneaster  fire 

I 

4 

0 

Churchwardens'  Presentments. 

In  the  Bodleian  Library  there  is  a  mass  of  documents 
which  came  from  the  Registry  of  the  Archdeaconry  of 
Berkshire  at  Oxford,  consisting  of  Act  Books,  from  1535 — 
1795,  depositions  relating  to  the  proving  of  Wills,  Pen- 


The  Church  Records.  523 

ances  for  various  sins  and  transgressions,  Pardons,  Mar- 
riage bonds,  Excommunications,  Sequestration  bonds,  Fa- 
culties, Institutions,  &c.,  and  are  well  worth  a  thorough 
investigation.  The  earlier  records  do  not  apparently  con- 
tain much  information  concerning  Newbury,  but  many 
points  of  interest  will  no  doubt  be  obtainable  from  these 
official  documents  when  their  contents  have  been  properly 
classified. 

The  following  are  a  few  extracts  from  the  later  present- 
ments of  the  Newbury  Churchwardens, — those  of  a  prior 
date  principally  relating  to  certain  offences  and  irregu- 
larities which  these  parish  officials  were  bound  on  oath  to 
report : — 

"Bill  of  Presentments  made  April  4,  1665,  by  the  Churchwar- 
dens to  certain  articles  delivered  unto  them  from  the  Worshipful 
John  Rives  ^,  Archdeacon  of  Berks. 

Imprimis  to  the  Articles  concerning  Churches  with  the  Orna- 
ments, we  have  not  come  to  present  anything  but  well. 

To  the  2nd  Article  concerning  Churchyards,  &c.,  we  have  the 
same  answer. 

To  the  4th  concerning  Parishioners,  we  pr'sent  that  John 
Woodes,  al's  Plant,  William  Harrison,  and  Mr.  John  Merriman, 
have  not  come  to  hear  Divine  Service  at  our  Parish  Church  for 
the  space  of  six  monthes  last,  and  therefore  we  suppose  they 
refuse  to  come,  and  have  not  receaved  the  holy  communion  there 
since  last  Easter. 

Also  the  4lh  Article  concerning  Parishioners,  we  pr'sent  that 
by  reason  of  some  unlicensed  preachers  being  permitted,  as  we 
are  informed,  to  preach  at  Boxford,  and  p'ticulary  one  Mr. 
James  "^j  a  blind  man,  many  of  the  inhabitants  and  others  of  this 
parish  have  not  resorted  to  our  owne  churche  uppon  such  Sun- 

'  John  Ryves,  of  New  College,  Oxford,  became  Archdeacon  of  Berks  on 
the  resignation  of  Edw.  Davenant,  Nov.  20,  1634.  He  died  Aug.  19,  1665, 
and  was  succeeded  in  his  Archdeaconry  by  Dr.  Peter  Mews,  of  St.  John's 
College,  Oxford. 

■■  Probably  the  Rev.  John  James,  M.A.,  Rector  of  East  Ilsley,  who  resigned 
his  living  rather  than  comply  with  the  provisions  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity  in 
1662.  Dr.  Calamy  mentions  that  Mr.  James  was  afterwards  offered  by  Dr. 
James,  then  Warden  of  All  Souls,  Oxford,  several  preferments,  including  a, 
Canonry  at  Windsor,  but  he  would  not  conform ;  and  was  much  harassed  by 
'Ca.sfive  mile  Act  in  three  or  four  places  before  he  could  settle  to  his  ministry 
at  Staines  J  and  describes  him  as  "a  zealous  and  practical  preacher." 


524  The  C/mrch  Records. 

dayes  as  they  have  preached  there,  but  have  gone  some  thither, 
and  further  to  this  Article  we  pr'sent  not. 

To  the  6th  Article,  we  pr'sent  that  as  you  are  enformed  there 
are  children  in  this  parish  who  are  yet  unbaptized,  p'ticularly  the 
children  of  William  Harrison  and  Mr.  John  Merriman. 

To  the  8th  Article  concerning  Parishioners,  we  pr'sent  that 
there  are  many  in  this  parish  who  so  far  from  receaving  the 
Sacrament  3  tymes  in  the  yere,  that  they  have  not  receaved  it  at 
all  this  last  yere,  namely,  John  Daws,  Richard  Brice,  Thomas 
Lovelocke,  Thomas  Pearse,  Xtopher  Clayton,  Thomas  Hill, 
John  Child. 

We  pr'sent  that  those  whose  names  are  underwritten  refuse  to 
pay  the  Clarke  his  wages,  and  the  dues  of  the  Church.  Richard 
Clements  lod.,  Edward  Mills  2od.,  Stephen  Goodall  2od.,  John 
Smart  sorfl,  Thomas  Bishop  2,od.,  Lewis  Richardson  30(/.,  Joseph 
Gray  10^.,  with  many  others  we  desire  a  longer  time  to  set 
downe. 

We  pr'sent  that  John  Child,  John  Hill,  Richard  Grant,  John 
Portsmouth,  and  Wra.  Andelin,  are  excommunicaf^  persons. 

Item  we  pr'sent  that  Richard  Young  the  Cutler,  and  Abraham 
Cox,  Smith,  have  not  receaved  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
at  the  ffeast  of  Easter  nor  at  any  time  since. 

Ino.  Pinfall, 
Richard  Young, 


|-  Churchwardens." 


The  Presentments  of  the  Churchwardens  of  Newbury,  1666. 

"  These  wee  humbly  beg  to  certify  that  John  Seeley  the  younger, 
George  White,  John  Daunce,  Thomas  Lovelocke,  James  Pearse, 
and  Wm.  Hunt,  Inhabitants  of  Newbury,  pr'sented  in  the  yeare  of 
our  Lord  1665,  for  not  receaving  the  holy  sacrament  of  the  Lorde's 
Supper  at  the  ffeast  of  Easter,  nor  any  time  after  Easter;  did 
not  receave  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  at  the  ffeast  of 
Easter  last,  nor  at  any  time  since,  according  to  the  Ecclesiastical 
Law,  In  Witnes  whereof  wee  have  hereunto  set  our  handes,  June 
3,  1666. 

Joseph  Sayer,  Recf^  of  Newbery. 
John  Pinfall,  Churchwarden." 

The  Presentments  of  the  Churchwardens  of  Newbery  made  the 
8th  day  of  June,  1667. 

"Imprymis  wee  pr'sent  John  Childe,  Joane  Bushell,  Robert 


Tlie  Clinrch  Recoi'ds.  525 

Wilson  and  his  wyfe,  John  Porchmouth,  Richard  Write  and  his 
wyfe,  Will  Gierke  ffor  excommunicated  p'rsons. 

Item  we  pr'sent  John  Hollam  and  Ann  Morront  for  the  same. 
Thos.  Tolfrey,     ) 

r 


„,        _       ,.        .Churchwardens.'' 
Ihos.  Paradise, 


"  A  Presentmemt  made  by  Mr.  Abra'm  Stockwell,  Mr.  Thomas 
Basford,  Mr.  Jonas  Narroway,  and  Mr.  Robert  Tewson,  Church- 
wardens of  Newbery,  at  the  Vissitacion  of  the  Right  Onor'''^  Dr. 
Peter  Mews,  Archdeacon  of  Berks,  holden  at  Newberry  aforesaid 
Aprill  rp,  1670. 

Imprimis  we  pr'sent  that  the  Church  and  Churchyard  ar  not  in 
soe  good  repair  as  we  could  wish  it  wear  by  reason  that  the 
revenues  belonging  to  the  Church  suffice  not  to  defray  the 
charges  thereof,  we  do  therefor  humbly  desire  that  we  may  be 
allowed  a  Rate  for  y=  repairs  of  y"  said  Church  and  for  fencing  the 
Churchyard. 

Item  we  pr'sent  that  William  Harrison,  John  Ranee,  Thomas 
Hill,  Samuel  Gibs,  and  William  Avelin,  being  Anabaptistically 
inclined  and  reputed  Anabaptists,  and  that  Thomas  Marshe, 
Joseph  Gray,  Priscilla  Wilson,  Mary  Osgood,  widow,  and  Thomas 
Bond,  being  Quakers,  do  refuse  to  come  to  y''  publik  assembly, 
prayers,  and  services  of  the  Church. 

Item  we  pr'sent  that  we  suspect  y'  several  persons  may  absent 
themselves  from  Divine  Service,  but  in  soe  numerous  a  congre- 
gation we  cannot  certainly  know  who  indeed  are  absent. 

Item  we  pr'sent  that  several  children  are  unbaptized,  particu- 
larly the  children  of  John  Hill  and  William  Harrison. 

Item  we  pr'sent  that  Mary  Nash,  William  Ketchill,  and  several 
others,  have  not  receaved  the  holy  sacrament  at  Easter  last,  nor 
at  any  time  during  the  year  last  past. 

Item  we  pr'sent  Mr.  Robert  Wilson,  John  Hill,  John  Childs, 
and  Abra'm  Cox,  being  denounced  excom'icat  hath  soe  continued 
for  several  months. 

Item  we  pr'sent  f  ther  there  are  several  persons  who  refuse  to 
pay  both  their  Easter  offerings  and  the  Clarke's  wages,  whose 
names  we  desire  for  further  time  to  set  down. 

Joseph  Sayer. 
Abraham  Stockwell. 
Thomas  Basford. 
Jonas  Narroway. 
Robert  Tuson." 


526  The  Church  Records. 

Newbury. 

"  The  Pr'sentment  of  the  Churchwardens  of  the  Parish  aforesaid, 
made  at  the  Visitacion  of  the  Archdeacon  of  Berks  held  at  New- 
berry the  5th  day  of  April,  1675. 

We  pr'sent  the  Persones  whose  names  are  under  written  for  not 
receiving  the  Sacrament  at  Easter  last. 

Wm.  White,  Grocer,  and  Mary  Joseph  Gray,  weaver. 

his  wife.  Samuel    Gibbs,    tobacco    pipe 

Sarah  Child,  widow.  maker. 

Robert  Cox,  weaver.  Thomas  Merriman,  yeoman. 

Stephen  Merrall,  butcher.  William  Harding  and  Frances 

Mary  Osgood,  widow.  Slater. 

Edward    Myller,   weaver,    and  John  Ranee,  taylor. 

Mary  his  wife.  Mary      Champion,     the     wife 

John  Hill,  Grocer.  of    Brrien    Traffelde,    wea- 

Robert  Wilson,  fHaxdresser,  and  ver. 

Mary  his  wife. 

Richard  Cowslad,  )  _,,       ,         •,       „ 
.  ,      _     ,  \  Churchwardens. 

John  Garden,  j 

In  1693  the  following  were  returned  as  refusing  to  pay 
the  Church-rate. 

Adam  Stowers.  Anthony  Hannington. 

Thomas  Marshe.  William  Burch,  clothier. 

Thos.  Edmonds,  )  _,, ,       , 
-P, .     „  >  Ch'wardens. 

Ric.  Cooper,         J 

"  Presentment  of  the  Churchwardens  of  Newbery  att  the  Visita- 
cion there  held  April  18,  1694. 

Wee  pr'sent  that  the  Church  and  Ornaments  thereto  belong- 
ing, and  Churchyard,  are  in  good  repare,  y'  the  minister  hath 
duly  officiated  and  performed  his  office,  and  the  Parish  Clark 
and  Sexton  done  the  same  to  the  best  of  o''  knowledge  and 
beleife. 

Y*  the  Parishioners  frequent  some  the  Church  and  others  the 
meeting  houses  in  the  towne,  and  y'  more  absent,  as  we  know  y' 
from  one  or  the  other,  and  y'  all  other  matters  relating  to  o' 
care  or  charge  are  in  good  order  and  well,  as  far  as  wee  know. 

Thomas  Edmonds,  >  „, ,       ,       „ 
'^  "^h  wardens. 


Ric.  Cooper, 


Ich'y 


The  Church  Records.  527 

At  the  Visitation  held  in  1696  several  parishioners  were 
presented  for  not  paying  Church-rates  and  Easter-dues. 

In  1707,  at  the  annual  Visitation,  Joseph  Avery,  Parish 
Clerk,  was  presented  for  not  giving  any  account  of  the 
Easter-dues  to  the  Churchwardens. 

At  the  Visitation  held  in  1710  the  Rev.  John  Hinton, 
Rector,  was  presented  for  not  keeping  the  parish  registers 
in  the  church,  according  to  the  Canons  of  the  Church  of 
England. 


The  Churchwardens'  Accounts. 

The  Churchwardens'  Accounts,  giving  details  of  re- 
ceipts and  payments  for  church  purposes,  entered  in  two 
large  bound  volumes,  are  in  excellent  preservation,  and 
they  throw  a  considerable  light  on  the  history  of  the 
parish  during  the  period  over  which  they  extend.  They 
were  all  passed  at  Vestry,  and  are  signed  by  the  Rectors, 
Churchwardens,  and  others,  and  frequently,  in  the  seven- 
teenth century,  by  the  Mayors  of  the  town.  The  first 
volume  commences  in  1602,  the  earlier  account  books 
being  either  destroyed  or  missing. 

The  following  extracts  possessing  many  points  of  interest 
will  shew  the  nature  of  the  material  to  be  derived  from 
these  records. 

Payments  made  by  the  Churchwardens  of  New- 
bury, EXTRACTED   FROM   THEIR  ACCOUNTS. 

1602  and  3.  Pd.  the  Apparitor  for  renderinge  a  pre-    £    s.    d. 

sentment .  .  .  .  .  •  .  .006 
Pd.   Robert   Kystell   for  9   ells   of  hollan   for  a 

Surplas 126 

Pd.  at  the  Visitation  for  smoake  farthings"  and 

presentment °     3     7 

Pd.  to  the  Ringers  on  Coronation  Daye  ^       .         .050 

^  Smoke  farthings  were  a  yearly  rent  or  service  anciently  paid  in  lieu  of 
the  customary  dues  offered  by  the  inhabitants  of  a  diocese  at  Whitsuntide, 
when  they  made  their  processions  to  the  mother  or  cathedral  church. 

'  The  accession  of  James  I. 


528 


The  Church  Records. 


Pd.  at  the  Lorde  Bishopp's  Visitation     . 
Reed,  for  breakinge  of  the  grounde  for  Mr.  Bond  f 
of  London         ...... 

Reed,  for  Seate  money 

Pd.  to  the  Ringers  on  Coronation  Daye 
Pd.  for  a  thousand  bricks      .... 

1604  and   5.    Reed,   for   the   paule   for   Mr.  Henry 
Winscombes     ...... 

Pd.  and  given  to  Mr.  Doctor  Martinne  ••  in  wines 
Pd.  for  the  boke  of  Cannons 
Pd.  and  given  to  the  Ringers  for  the  Kinge ' . 
Pd.  to  Elniger''  as  a  Dew  to  Mr.  Doggett 
Pd.  for  a  Servis  Boke    ..... 
Pd.  my  Lord  B[ishop's]  Officers  . 

1605  and  6.  Pd.  for  the  frame  for  the  Kinge's  Armes 
and  the  board  against  Mr.  Mayor's  seate    . 

Pd.  Thomas  Greene  for  worke  about  the  porche,  the 
window  and  piller  behind  y'=  pulpitt  . 

Pd.  for  fiftie  brickes  and  for  tymber  and  sawing 
thereof  for  the  staires  of  the  pulpitt    . 

Pd.  for  six  hundred  of  nails  for  the  great  door  and 
for  the  pulpitt  staires         .... 

Pd.  for  a  pair  of  Jemmores  '  for  the  pulpitt  door 

Reed,  for  Mr.  John  Dolman's  grave 

Reed,  of  Jeffraie  Bewe  "  for  his  wife's  grave  . 

1606  and  7.  Reed,  of  WilHam  Howse  for  his  wife': 
grave  in  the  Church 

Reed,  of  John  Woddes  for  the  old  pulpitt 

Pd.  Ringers  on  the  King's  holie  Dale   .     .    . 

Pd.  for  a  Communion  booke  and  a  booke  of 
Articles 

Pd.  John  Reves  for  writing  the  Register  and  sing- 
ing on  Easter  dale 

Pd.  for  Ringing  on  our  Ladie  eve . 


£ 

s. 

d. 

0 

3 

4 

0 

6 

8 

I 

14 

6 

0 

5 

0 

0 

II 

6 

0 

I 

0 

0 

I 

5 

0 

I 

4 

0 

4 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

7 

6 

0 

8 

8 

0 

18 

6 

0 

5 

4 

0 

16 

6 

0 

2 

7 

0 

6 

0 

0 

6 

8 

0 

6 

8 

0 

6 

8 

I 

5 

8 

0 

2 

0 

056 

026 


'  A  member  of  a  very  old  Newbury  family.  e  Winchcombe. 

^  Afterwards  Sir  Henry  Martin,  Official  Principal  of  the  Archdeaconry  of 
Berks. 

'  For  the  King's  preservation  from  the  Gunpowder  Plot. 

''  Alnager,  an  officer  whose  business  it  was  to  look  to  the  assize  of  woollen 
cloth. 

'  Hinges. 

"'  Of  the  family  of  Wiliam  Bew,  Bishop  of  Llandaff. 


Imperfect 


The  Church  Records.  529 

£  s.    d. 
Pd.  in  chardges  bestowed  upon  Mrs.  Crosse  and 

her  children  in  respect  she  paid  for  the  pulpitt  in 

the  churche  ° 2   19     8 

1609  and  10.  Pd.  for  a  Bottle  of  Wine  given  to  Mr. 

Martyn      .         . 014 

Pd.    for   Pentecostalles,   otherwise    called    smoke 

farthings   .         .         .         .         .         .         .         -035 

Pd.  for  Quit  Rent  out  of  the  house  by  Speenham- 

land  water         ....... 

Pd.  to  Mr.  Long  for  setting  the  Chymes 

1612  and  13.  Reed,  for  ringing  the  bells,  and  for  thef*     leaves. 
palle  at  Mr.  Collett's  burial  °      .         .         . 

Pd.  the  Ringers  at  the  Coronation  daie . 

1613  and  14.  Pd.  for  Ringing  at  her  ma'^  being  at' 
ShaweP o     5   10 

Pd.  for  Ringing  the  second  tyme  her  ma"'  was  at 

Shawe       .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .050 

1614  and   15.    Reed,  for  the  Organs   sold  by  Mr. 
Child,    Maio',   and   other   of  the    Townesmen, 

Sept.  10,  1614  .         .         .         .        .         .         .368 

1 615  and  16.  Pd.  for  Varnishing  the  pulpitt  .  .  o  13  6 
Pd.  for  Ringing  for  the  King  at  sondrie  tymes  .  o  14  o 
Pd.  for  14  yardes  of  grene  cloth  bestowed  on  the 

seates       .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .1150 

Pd.  for  a  silver  bolle  for  the  Comm'yon         .         .300 

1616  and  17.  Pd.  for  amending  the  tombrel  1   .         .004 

1617  and  18.  Reed,  for  a  Tynne  Cupp  sold  to  Mr. 

Childs 050 

Pd.  for  Ringing  three  dales  for  the  King's  ma''«      .       066 

1618  and  19.  Pd.  to  three  men  whose  tongues  wear 

cutt  out 030 

1619  and  20.  Pd.  the  Ringers  the  daie  of  the  coro- 
nation and  the  gunpowder  daie  .        .         .         .050 

1620  and   I.  Pd.   the  Ringers  on  Cowrie's  conspi- 

racie ' 010 

°  This  refers  to  Mrs.  Crosse's  gift  of  the  pulpit  now  in  the  church. 

"  Dr.  John  CoUett,  probably  a  descendant  of  the  above,  was  an  eminent 
physician  in  Newbury. 

T>  Queen  Anne  of  Denmark.  Her  Majesty  was  entertained  by  Mr.  Dolman 
at  Shaw  House. 

«  The  "tombrel"  or  ducking-stool  for  scolds  is  frequently  mentioned  in  the 
accounts. 

'  The  anniversary  of  the  Gowrie  Conspiracy,  Aug.  6,  1600. 

M  m 


5  30  The  Church  Records. 

£  s.   d. 

Pd.  for  amending  the  glasse  before  the  Visitacon  .  31°  ^ 
Reed,  for  Mr.  Thomas  Goddard,  Mayor,  his  grave 

and  Clarke  and  tolle 078 

Reed,  for  the  black  clothe  for  a  minister  buried  at 

Speene      .  ' 010 

Pd.  for  the  Curfew  Bell 020 

1621  and  2.  Pd.  to  a  Poore  man's  loss  by  fyre.  .  010 
Reed,  of  Guilbert  Adey  for  the  greate  bell  .  .010 
Pd.  for  freestone  for  the  magistrates'  seates   .         .100 

1624  and  5.  Reed,  for  Mr.  Ayres'=  burial,  one  of 

Sarum 068 

Reed,  of  Mr.  Gunter's  man  of  Barton  [Kintbury], 

money  that  he  gave  to  the  Church  .  .  .100 
Pd.  to  a  poore  man  trauvilinge  to  Ireland  .  .008 
Pd.  to  a  poore  man  that  carne  out  of  Turke  .  .010 
Pd.  for  ringing  Mr.  Kendrick's  knell '  .  .  .030 
Pd.  to  the  Ringers  when  the  King  was  proclaimed       016 

1625  and   6.  Reed,    of  my  Ladie  OfhHs'>  for  the 

black  cloth  for  her  daughter  .  .  .  .010 
Reed,  of  Mr.  Chokt^  for  his  wife  laying  in  the 

Church 078 

Reed,  of  Mr.  Samuell  Iremonger  ",  for  all  the  bells 

for  his  knell       .         .         .         .         .         .         .010 

Reed,  of  Mr.  Dolman  for  his  father  and  his  child 

laieinge  in  one  grave  in  the  Church,  and  for  the 

black  cloth  and  the  greate  bell  .  .  .  .0118 
Pd.  to  Pocock  for  ringginge  for  the  Queen's  com- 

minge  in  first,  by  Mr.  Maior's  appointment  .  050 
Pd.  for  a  blacke  clothe  of  Hollan  to  serve  at  the 

Communion  table,  an'd  makinge  of  him  .  .026 
Pd.    Henry   Pocock   for  ringinge   at   the    King's 

Coronation  daye         .         .         .  .         .         .026 

Pd.    Robert   Bacon   for   a   peale   for   our  King's 

returne  out  of  Spaine         .         .         .         .         .026 

'  Probably  intended  for  Eyre,  a  well-known  Wiltshire  family,  one  of 
whom  had  a  long  religious  disputation  with  Dr.  Twisse. 

'  John  Kendrick,  one  of  the  great  benefactors  to  the  parish  of  Newbury. 

^  This  is  intended  for  Lady  Offley,  wife  of  Sir  John  Offley,  of  Madeley,  co. 
Stafford,  who  resided  for  some  time  at  Chamberhouse,  in  the  parish  of 
Thatcham.     The  cloth  was  lent  for  the  funeral  at  Thatcham. 

'  A  member  of  the  Choke  family,  of  Avington. 

"  Of  Donnington  Priory. 


The  Church  Records.  531 

£  s-    d. 
Pd.  Baker  the  Crier  for  his  helpinge  at  Churche    .       050 

1626  and  7.  Pd.  the  Overseaurs  of  the  buildings  at 
the  Castill^,  for  Tymber  to  make  the  grate  at 

the  Church  doores    .         .         .         .         .         .120 

Pd.  Inglefielde  for  fitting  up  a  shelfe  to  sett  Mr. 

Hobes  [Hobbs]  his  bread  on     .         .         .         .010 

1627  and  8.  Pd.  to  Travilores  Taken  by  the  Turks  .  020 
Pd.   to   Benjamin   Houlton   for   bringing  a  book 

from  Hungerford  which  a  soldier  had  pawned 

there         . .020 

1628  and  9.  Pd.  for  an  howre  glasse  and  coloringe 

him  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .008 

1630  and  31.  Pd.  Brooker  for  makinge  the  cover  for 

the  ffont 130 

Pd.  Seelie  for  paintinge  the  ffont  and  cover  .  .060 
Pd.  for  prosecutinge  Younge  and  his  Companie     .       0120 

1631  and   2.    Pd.    John   Briskett   for    the    Kinge's 

Armes  and  other  worke     .         .         .         .         .0100 
1633  and  4.  Pd.  the  Painter  for  the  Prince's  Armes 

and  painting  the  rest          .         .          .         .         .0168 
Pd.  to  a  distressed  Minister 010 

1635  and  6.  Reed,  for  Bell  for  Baker  the  Criar  .010 
Reed,  for  HoUan  clothe  for  a  Welshe-man  .  .040 
Reed,    for  the   grave,   bell  and   clothe    for    Mr. 

Trenchardy 020 

Reed,  for  the  grave,  bell  for  Mr.  Harman  Doleman  088 
Reed,   for    the    bell    and    clothe    for    Mr.  John 

Chamberlayne  ^ 020 

Pd.  Henry  Pocock  for  Ringing  ags*  the  Bishop's 

cominge    .         .         .         .         .         .         •         .030 

Pd.  Edw.  Weekes  for  i  gallon  clarett,  half  a  gallon 

of  sacke  to  Dr.  Tooker " 048 

1636  and  7.    Pd.  for  Shott  and  powder  to  kill  the 

birds  in  the  Church 006 

1637  and  8.  Pd.  Henry  Dudmarsh  for  placinge  the 

Kinge's  Armes  upright  *>    .         .         .         •         .016 

'  The  remains  of  the  ancient  castle  of  Newbury,  near  the  wharf,  were  in  ex- 
istence at  this  time.     The  "grate"  was  an  outer  frameworlc  with  interstices. 

^  Of  Normanton,  near  Amesbury,  Wilts. 

'^  Mayor  of  Newbury,  1601.  »  Charles  Tooker,  D.C.L.,  of  Abingdon. 

*  A  very  singular  and  significant  entry  as  taken  in  another  sense,  in  con- 
nection with  the  strife  so  soon  to  follow. 

M  m  2 


532 


The  Church  Records. 


1638  and  9.  Pd.  for  the  Readinge   Pewe  and  the 
Lady  Piles' "  seate 

Pd.  for  Boughes  and  fflowers 
Pd.  for  Sugar  for  the  Bishop's  wine 
Pd.  the  Messenger  for  bringing  the  prayer  for  the 
Kinge       ....... 

1639  and  40.  Pd.  for  a  glasse  and  for  Incke  [Ink] 

1640  and  41.  Pd.  to  John  Brisket  for  y'=  Lyon '' 
Pd.   for  ringinge  the  greate  bell  and  at  powder 

treason     ....... 

Pd.  for  ringinge  Coronation  day    . 

Pd.  for  wine  ...... 

Pd.  for  wine  for  Dr.  Tooker .... 

1641  and  2.  Reed.  Mr.  Dunce'',  his  man,  bell  and 
cloth  ....... 

Reed.  Mr.  Winchcombe  the  greate  bell 

Pd.  for  painting  the  Lyon      .... 

Pd.  Smoake  farthinges  and  chardges  to  Ilsley 

1642  and  3.  Reed,  for  bell  and  cloth  for  John  Tim 
berlan^     ....... 

Pd.  for  ringinge  Coronation  day   . 

Pd.  for  ringinge  for  Prince  Rupert 

Pd.  for  ringinge  the  5  Novembris . 

Pd.  Smoke  farthinges  and  chardges  at  Ilsley . 

Pd.  for  wine  for  the  Communion  . 

1643  and  4.  Reed,  for  the  grave  and  bell  for  Tertullian 
Selden's  wife  ..... 

Reed,  for  a  soldier,  the  grave 
Reed,  for  the  clothe  for  a  soldier  . 
Reed,  for  the  clothe  for  Mr.  Dolman's  mayde 
Reed,  for  the  grave,  bell  and  cloth  for  a  soldier 
Reed,    for   the    grave,    bell    and    cloth    for    Mr. 
Curtice     ....... 

Pd.  to  Bushnell  for  watchinge  on  the  Tower . 


£  s.    d. 

4  13  S 
008 


004 
004 
0100 


o  » 
o  5 
9  IS 


o 
o 

I 
I  4 


020 
010 
068 
080 


o 
o 
6 
o 
o 


O  »  5 
068 
010 
020 
088 

088 
006 


°  This  lady  was  connected  with  the  Piles  (Baronets)  of  Compton-Beau- 
champ,  Oakash,  Chaddleworth,  Berks,  and  Axford,  Wilts. 

''  This  figure  of  the  '  Lyon,'  carved  in  oak,  was  originally  an  appendage  to 
the  Mayor's  pew,  but  was  removed  in  the  eighteenth  century.  It  was  dis- 
covered a  few  years  since,  and  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  T.  E.  Haw- 
kins, of  West  Mills,  Newbury. 

■=  Mr.  Dunce  was  the  host  of  King  Charles  I.  at  the  period  of  the  first  battle 
at  Newbury.  '  The  Parish  Clerk. 


The  Church  Records. 

Pd.  for  watchinge  on  the  Tower   . 

Pd.  for  ringinge  when  the  King  was  in  Towne 

Pd.  for  ringinge  on  Coronation  day 

Pd.  for  buryinge  the  ded  soldiers  in  church-yarde 

and  Wash  ..... 

Pd.  for  Shrowdes  ..... 
Pd.  for  buryinge  soldiers  in  the  Church 
1644  and  5.  Reed,  for  the  bell  and  clothe  for  Dr, 

Godwin     ..... 
Reed,  for  the  grounde,  bell  and  clothe  for  Chris 

topher  Twisse   ...... 

Reed,  for  the  old  cloth  for  a  soldier 

Reed,  for  the  grounde,  bell  and  clothe  for  John 

Twisse      ..... 
Pd.  for  a  coffin  for  a  leftenant 
Pd.  for  carrying,  burying  soldier    . 
Pd.    for    shrowding   a   soldier,    and    carrying   to 

Church  ..... 
Pd.  for  two  shrowdes  for  soldiers  . 
Pd.  for  carrying  soldiers  and  cleansing  the  Church 
Pd.  for  carrying  soldiers  and  making  a  great  grave 
Pd.  for  a  shrowde  for  a  soldier 
Pd.  for  carryinge  and  buryinge  3  soldiers 
Pd.  for  carryinge  another  soldier  to  buryinge 
Pd.  for  makinge  clean  e  the  Church 
Pd.  for  buryinge  2  soldiers  more  . 
Pd.  for  buryinge  6  soldiers  more  . 
Pd.  for  a  shrowde  for  a  soldier 
Pd.  for  carryinge  a  soldier  to  buryinge 
Pd.  for  digging  graves  for  soldiers 
Pd.  for  buryinge  3  soldiers  more  . 
Pd.  for  buryinge  4  soldiers  more  . 
Pd.  to  Wooldridge  digging  graves . 
Pd.  for  buryinge  2  soldiers  . 
Pd.  for  buryinge  2   soldiers  more,  and  carryinge 

them         ..... 
Pd.  for  ringinge  for  the  Kinge 
Pd.  for  ringinge  the  5  of  November 
Pd.  to  the  Kinge's  Servantts . 
Pd.  for  buryinge  a  soldier     . 


533 


£  s.  d. 
003 
050 
030 

3   O   I 

064 

3  4  4 


o  »  a 
006 

088 
070 
012 


o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 


030 
050 
050 

100 
016 


534 


^he  Church  Records. 


Pd.    for    diginge    19    graves    and    clensinge   the 

Church 

Pd.  for  buryinge  a  soldier     . 

Pd.  for  a  soldier's  buryinge  . 

Pd.  to  Smith  for  travalinge  for  a  Minister 

Pd.  for  a  comon  prayer  booke  to  Wilson 

1645  and  6.  Reed,  for  a  man  y'  was  hanged  the  bell 
Reed,  for  the  Captaine  k  burial  for  breakinge  the 

grounde,  bell  and  cloth     ..... 
Reed,    of  Doctor  Barker  ffor  buryinge   CoUonel 

Smith  in  the  Chancel         ..... 
Reed,  for  bell  and  cloth  for  Liftennent  CoUonel 

Smith  ii 

Reed,  for  the  cloth  ffor  a  soldier   .... 

Reed,  for  the  buryinge  of  a  Liftennant  . 

Reed,  of  Hatt  for  the  leade  of  the  Wether  Cocke  . 

Pd.  to  Redeeme  the  tower  Leade 

Pd.  to  Redeeme  the  Church  Ladder 

Pd.  for  Ringenge  a  coronation  day 

Pd.  for  buringe  of  a  souldier         .... 

Pd.  for  buringe  of  souldiers  .... 

Pd.  for  Shrowdds  to  bury  souldiers 

Pd.  to  souldiers  for  redeminge  the  Church  Leade 

Reed,  for  2  Surplices  sold  by  the  Churchwardens 

1646  and  7.    Reed,    for   the   buriall   of  Captaines 
Smithe's  wife    ........ 

Reed,  of  John  Timberland  for  burials  due  to  the 
Parson  since  Mr.  Millett  went  away 

Reed,  for  the  Surplices  ..... 

Pd.  to  the  plummers  for  their  worke  and  for  new 
Leade       ........ 

Pd.  to  John  Twisse  for  dyeing  the  black  cloth 

Pd.  to  Richard  Jerom  for  Dr.  Twisse  his  picture  . 

Pd.  to  Widow  Helliar  for  the  curteyne  to  hang 
before  it  .......         . 


£  s.   d. 


O        2 
O        I 

0  6 

2        3 

1  8 
o  IS 

3 


o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 


o  17     4 


o   13     4 


o  10     o 

080 

0  12        O 

42      O      O 
020 

1  IS     o 

054 


K  Major  Stewart,  (here  called  Captain,)  commanded  for  the  Parliament  the 
Kentish  regiment  then  quartered  near  Newbury.  He  shot  with  his  own  hand 
in  a  skirmish  Lieut. -Col.  Smith,  next  mentioned. 

■"  A  Cavalier  Colonel  of  Horse.  To  revenge  Smith's  death  Sir  John  Boys, 
Governor  of  Donnington  Castle,  with  a  party  of  his  men  surprised  Major 
Stewart  as  he  was  sitting  at  supper  by  the  side  of  his  intended  bride,  at 
Greenham  Manor  House,  and  the  Major  was  shot  dead  on  the  spot. 


The  Church  Records.  535 

£  s.  d. 
Pd.  for  two  Ministers'  dinners  to  Mrs.  Smith  .  030 
Pd.  Dudmarsh  for  makinge  the  back  of  Dr.  Twisse 

picture     .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .020 

1647  and  8.  Pd.  for  a  Directory'     .         .         .         .024 

Pd.  for  ringinge  on  Coronation  day  the  27""  of 

March 066 

Pd.  Mr.  Brisket  for  the  frame  that  holds  the  bason 

in  the  Church  "^  .         .         .         .         .         .0150 

Pd.  for  a  Bason  for  the  Church     .         .         .         .030 

1649  and  50.  Pd.  for  Ringinge  Queen  EHz.  Coro- 
nation Day       .         .         .         .         .         .         .026 

Pd.  for  Shrowd  for  Goody.  Penn '  .         .         .030 

1650  and  51.  Reed,  for  breakinge  the  ground,  bell 

and  cloth  for  Mr.  Edw.  Barksdall ""  .  .  .088 
Reed,  for  breakinge  the  ground,  bell  and  cloth  for 

Capt.  Merryman's  maid    .         .         .  .         .088 

Pd.  to  Christopher  Barnes  for  new  drawinge  of  a 

Table- 050 

Pd.  for  Ringinge  for  the  generall  Crumbwell  °        .026 

1651  and  52.  Pd.  for  Ringinge  for  the  Judge   .         .026 
Pd.  for  Incke        . 003 

1652  and   53.    Pd.    Ringers    for   ringinge    on   the 
Thanksgiving  Day    .         .         .         .         .         .026 

Pd.  Ringers  for  ringinge  on  the  5th  of  November        050 

1653  and  54.  Pd.  for  4  yards  and  a  half  of  Cotton 

for  Mr.  Maior's  seate         .  .         .         .         .0100 

Pd.  to  Thomas  Grey  for  nayles  and  setting  of  it  on      044 
Pd.  for  ringinge  for  the  Lord  Protector         .         .03 


o 


■  The  "Directory  for  the  Public  Worship  of  God,"  drawn  up  at  the  in- 
stance of  the  Parliament  by  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines  in  1 644, 
after  the  suppression  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 

'■  In  the  place  of  the  font  removed  from  the  church  in  accordance  with  the 
injunctions  of  the  Puritan  authorities. 

'  The  surname  of  the  founder  of  Pennsylvania  occurs  in  other  places  in  the 
parish  books. 

"  The  Barksdales  were  a  notable  Newbury  family. 

"  For  the  Communion  table. 

"  The  Lord  General  Cromwell  passed  through  Newbury  in  1650,  on  his 
way  from  Bristol  to  London  after  his  victorious  campaign  in  Ireland.  His 
return  to  London  was  a  kind  of  triumph,  and  all  ranks  of  people  contended, 
either  from  regard  or  fear,  who  should  shew  him  the  most  respect.  He  was 
met  on  Hounslow  Heath  by  many  members  of  the  Parliament  and  officers  of 
the  army,  and  at  Hyde  Parle  saluted  with  great  guns.  He  then  proceeded  to 
the  palace  at  Whitehall,  which  had  been  prepared  for  his  reception. 


5  36  The  Church  Records. 


£ 


o 


o 


165s  "nd  56.  Reed,  on  the  rate  or  tax  for  repairing 

of  the  Church  from  the  Inhabitants  .         .         -47 
Reed,  of  Major  FfincherP  of  gift  toward  y=  re- 
pairing of  the  Church i 

Reed,  of  Mr.  Philip  Jemmett  1  on  the  same  acco'         500 
Reed,  of  Capt"  Thornhill  on  the  same  aeco'  .       200 

Given  by  Mr.  Dolman  eight  trees  towards  the  sup- 
porting of  the  Church  valued  to  be  worth  about 
tenn  pounds, 

Pd.  to  Salisbury  mason 13° 

Pd.  to  Crieklade  men 220 

Pd.  to  Crismaford '  workmen         .         .         .         .0170 
Pd.  for  removing  the  dead  corps  .         .        .         .011 
1657  and  58.  Pd.  for  the  bell  and  ground  for  Comp- 

ton  Titchborne,  Esq 088 

Pd.  for  Two  Acts  for  the  Sabboath        .         .         .010 
Pd.  to  the  Ringers  for  ringinge  on  the  5  th  No- 

vemb 050 

Pd.   them   more    at  the   Inauguration    of  y"    L,^ 

Protector 05° 

Pd.  Philip  Baker  for  2  dayes'  work  for  levelling  the 

Tombe  stones  in  the  Church     .         .         .         .030 

Pd,  Bayly  for  levelling  the  Chancel  and  carrying 

out  of  rubbish  .         .         .         .         .         .         .018 

Pd.  James  Ffoster  for  300  tokens  for  Mr.  Wood- 
bridge  = 036 

Pd.  for  12  dozen  of  cakes,  43  quarts  of  drink,  to 
Henry  Pearse,  and  22  quarts  to  Jerome  Chad- 
sey,  for  p'ambulation  .         .         .         .         .0136 

1659  and  60.  Reed,  for  Edward  Bridges,  a  soldier, 

the  bell  and  cloth     .         .        .         .         .         .020 

Pd.  John  Hines  for  setting  upp  the  King's  Armes       015     o 
Pd.  for  drinke       .         .         .         .         .         .         .010 

Gave  to  a  poore  minister      .         .         .         .         .006 


P  Major  Fincher  was  a  very  prominent  man  for  the  Parliament  in  this 
neighbourhood. 

1  The  founder  of  Raymond's  Almshouses. 

■■  Christmalford,  Wilts,  now  commonly  written  Christian  Malford. 

'  Small  copper  coinage  for  parish  purposes  similar  to  the  "  Tokens"  used 
by  private  traders  at  this  period.  Mr.  Woodbridge  was  the  Rector.  Traders' 
and  other  tokens  were  prohibited  by  royal  proclamation  in  1672. 


pub 


birds 


seate, 


The  Church  Records. 


Pd.  for  ringing  two  dayes      .... 

1660  and  61.  Pd.  for  drink  and  cakes  for  the  P'am 
bulation    ...... 

Pd.  to  the  Ringers  on  Thanksgiving  day 

1661  and  62.   Pd.  to  the  Paritor  for  bookes 
lished  by  Mr.  Woodbridge 

Pd.  for  ringing  on  Coronation  day 
Pd.  for  ringing  for  the  Bishopp 

1662  and  63.  Pd.  for  the  Service  Book     . 
Pd.  for  the  Common  Prayer  Book 
Pd.  the  messenger  that  brought  it 
Pd.  James  Ffoster  for  a  nett  to  catch  the 

that  annoy  the  Church  ... 
Pd.  for  setting  upp  a  Deske  in  the  Bishopp's 

and  other  worke  .... 
Pd.  for  3  pints  of  Sack  for  Dr.  Ward 

1663  and  64.  Pd.  Kible  for  2  proclamations 

1664  and  65.  Pd.  to  the  Ringers  extraordinarily 
Pd.  to  the  Ringers  on  the  King's  Coronation  day 
Pd.  Wm.  Paty  for  his  fees  on  being  sworne  into  y 

Clarke's  office   ...... 

Pd.  for  two  Bookes  of  Divine  Service  for  Special 
Dayes       ...... 

Pd.  at  Abingdon  Assizes  for  Berkshire  witnesses' 
charges,  swearing  to  the  Indictments  and  other 
charges  concerning  the  Riott  in  the  Church, 
executed  by  my  Lord  Lovelace  his  speciall 
direction ' 

1665  and  66.  Pd.  the  Ringers  on  the  Kinge's  birth- 
day .         .         ...... 

Pd.  the  Ringers  on  the  Coronation  day 
Pd.  the  Ringers  on  Thanksgiving  day 

1666  and  67.  Pd.  the  Ringers  for  the  Dutch  Victory 
Pd.  the  Ringers  for  the  second  Dutch  Victory 

1667  and  68.    Pd.    the   Ringers  when   peace   was 
proclaimed        ....... 

Pd.  for  entertainment  of  Reading  Ringers     . 


537 

£   s.    d. 
o  10  6 

o  16  6 

050 


o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 


030 

o  I  8 
030 
008 
060 
068 

o  s  8 

030 


040 
050 
060 
o  10  o 
060 


6  6 
o  o 


'  The  disturbance  alluded  to  arose  out  of  the  election  of  Churchwardens. 
Lord  Lovelace  was  the  Lord-Lieutenant  of  the  county. 


538  The  Church  Records. 


£  s.   d. 


o 


o 


1668  and  69.    Pd.  to  the  Ringers  the  23rd  Aprill 

being  his  Ma""^  Coronation  day         .         .  .08 

Pd.  to  the  Ringers  the  29th  May  being  his  Ma"''^ 

Anniversary      .  .         .         .  •         ■         .       o  10 

Pd.  to  the  Ringers  when  the  Lord  Bishopp  was  at 

Newbury °  'o 

Pd.  for  tobacco  and  pipes  in  pambulac'on  .  .006 
Pd.  for  provision  in  pambulac'on  .         .         .190 

1670  and  71.    Gave  a  Capt.   for  the   King   in  the 

Dutch  war  who  came  with  the  King's  brief        .       026 
Gave  a  Cornett »  belonging  to  the  Earle  of  Cleve- 
land   010 

Gave  3  seamen  whoo  were  in  the  Turks  country  .  010 
Gave  to  5  slaves  more  who  were  in  Turkey  .  .010 
Gave  to  4  slaves  more  in  Turkey  .         .         .01 

Pd.  for  Bradhurst  quit  rent  and  chimney  money  '         056 
1673  and  4.    Pd.  for  Boaxing''  Joane  Gearland  and 
the   womon   and   part  of  the   fees   and   grave 

and  bell o     4     5 

Pd.  the  Ringers  for  the  peace  with  the  Duch  .  060 
Pd.  ifor  Linkes  at  Chrismas  .         .         .  .020 

Pd.  for  a  cloth  to  cover  the  Lyon  .         .         .013 

1677  and  78.  Pd.  the  Ringers  i"*  of  Tobacco  when 

the  queene  was  here  .         .         .         .         .080 

Spent  in  money  in  Look  in  after  them  .         .020 

Pd.  for  our  Dhmers      ....  .150 

1678  and  79.    Pd.    for  ringinge  the   23rd  of  Aprill 

being  St.  George's  Day  in  the  years  1678-9        .       0120 

Pd.  for  2   warrants  to  arrest  James  Ffoster  and 

Will.  Merriman 030 

Pd.    and   given   by   Order   toward    building   the 

Greek  Church 050 

Pd.  and  given  by  Order  for  a  poor  man's  re- 
demption out  of  Turkey    .         .         .  .         .050 

Given  by  Order  to  Leuitenant  John  Dowse  .         .050 

"  Cornet  in  the  Earl  of  Cleveland's  regiment. 

*  The  hearth  or  chimney  tax.  A  tax  on  every  fire-place  or  hearth  in  Eng- 
land was  imposed  by  Charles  II.  in  1662,  when  it  produced  about  ;^2OO,00O 
a  year.  It  was  abolished  by  William  and  Mary  at  the  Revolution  in  1689, 
but  was  imposed  again,  and  again  abolished. 

?  A  coffin.     The  accounts  for  this  year  were  written  by  the  Parish  Clerk. 


The  Church  Records. 


1680  and  81.    Spent  with  the  Bellfounders  severally 
the  3  and  4  May       ...... 

A  Journey  to  Reading  i  inland  iz""  May  to  bar- 
gain with  the  Bellfounder ..... 

Paid  Mr.  Latham  for  wrighting  the  Articles  be- 
tween the  Bellfounders  and  us  . 

Spent  at  the  sealing  of  the  Articles 

Spent  att  waying  the  great  Bell  and  fetching  the 
weigts 

A  Journey  to  Reading  at  Casting  the  great  Bell     . 

Spent  at  weighing  and  hanging  the  great  Bell 

A  Journey  to  Reading  at  casting  the  i  and  7  Bell 

Pd.  Henry  Knight,  Bellfounder,  for  casting  the  6 
Bells  into  8 

1681  and  82.  Reed,  of  the  Quakers  ' 

Pd.  Goodman  Bond  for  catching  a  fox  . 

Pd.  to  Hugh  Kettle  for  pros[ecut]ing  the  Quakers 

Pd.  for  carrying  old  Mosdell  home 

1682  and  83.  Pd.  Daniel  Whaler  for  painting  the 
pulpitt  and  seates       ...... 

Pd.  for  burying  the  child  that  came  down  ye  River 

1684  and  5.  Reed,  as  appears  by  the  Rolls,  ffor  the 
repairs  to  the  Church  ^       .         .         .         . 

Pd.  to  John  White  for  Drums  and  Collours   . 
Pd.  the  Ringers  when  the  King  was  proclaimed 
Pd.  the  Ringers  when  the  King  was  crowned 
Pd.  the  Ringers  when  the  Rebells  were  routed 
Pd.  the  Ringers  when  Monmouth  was  taken  . 

1685  and  86.  Pd.  the  Ringers  at  the  Coronation 
Pd.  the  Ringers  when  the  King  came  a  progress '' 
Pd.  the  Ringers  when  the  Chancellor  came '  - 


539 
£     s.    d. 

050 

012     o 

068 
0100 

046 
080 
030 
080 

6700 
320 
010 
0100 
030 

o  17  o 
006 


488     8 

0  12 

1  O 
1 
I 

o 
o 


o 
o 

10 

6 

10 

6 


'  Fines  for  non-attendance  at  church. 

"  This  sum  was  collected  for  repairing  the  damage  done  to  the  church  by 
the  falling  in  of  the  roof  from  the  chancel  to  the  pulpit,  then  placed  against 
the  second  column  of  the  north  arcade  of  the  nave,  on  Sunday,  Feb.  2,  1683- 
4,  while  the  Rev.  Isaac  Milles,  Rector  of  Highclere  (who  officiated  that  day), 
was  administering  the  Sacrament.  Fortunately  no  lives  were  lost,  as  the 
congregation  had  just  left  the  church,  except  those  who  communicated  and 
were  in  the  chancel.  The  extent  of  the  damage  caused  by  the  fall  of  the 
pillar  is  traceable  by  the  difference  in  the  stonework  between  the  arches  of 
the  north  arcade  and  the  clerestory  windows. 

^  King  James  II. 

°  The  Chancellor  of  the  Diocese. 


540  -         The  Church  Records. 

£  s.  d. 
Pd.  the  Ringers  the  King's  Birthday  .  .  .060 
Pd.  ffor  taking  a  ffox     .         .         .         .         .         .010 

1688  and  8g.  Pd.   the  Ringers  when  the  Prince  of 

Orange  came    .         .         .         .         .         .         .020 

1689  and  90.  Pd.  the  Ringers  on  the  news  of  Kirks 
releiving  Londonderry 050 

Burying  a  souldier  from  Hatts  .  .  .  .012 
Pd.  Jolm  Englefield  for  a  souldier's  coffin — he  was 

buried  from  Hatts      .         .         .         .         .         .060 

Pd.  the  Ringers  when  y^  King  came  by ''  .  .  070 
Pd.  the  Ringers  (Battle  of  the  Boyne)  .  .  .026 
Pd.  the  Ringers  when  y^  King  came  by  ^  .  .  o  10  o 
1691    and   92.    Pd.    y^    Ringers    for   y^   teaken   of 

Athlon      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .026 

Pd.  y^  Ringers  for  y''  teaken  of  Limbrick       .  .076 

1694  and  95.  Pd.   for   towhng  the   Bell  when   the 

Queen  was  buried  ^   .         .         .         .         .         .026 

Oct.    Pd.    the    Ringers     when    the     King     was 

landed      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .060 

1696.  Oct.  8.  Pd.  the  Ringers  on  the  King's  return 

home        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .050 

1700  and  1 701.  Pd.  for  playing  the  Engin        .         .016 
Pd.  the  Ringers  on  the  King's  return  from  Holland       068 

1701  and    2.    Pd.  the  Ringers  on  proclaiming  the 

Queen  and  Coronation  day  s      .         .         .  .100 

1707.  Pd.  John  Clark  for  taking  downe  the  Queene's 

Armes .0120 

Pd.  Mr.  Jones  for  painting  the  Queene's  Armes     .       200 
17 12.    Pd.   the   Ringers  when   the  peace  was   pro- 
claimed    .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .       o  10     o 

17 14.  Pd.  for  Ringing  y^  King's  Coronation  day       .       o  10     o 

1715.  Pd.  the  Ringers  when  the  Rebells  were  beate 

in  Scotland        .         .         .         .  .         .         .       o  10     o 

''  King  William  III.  when  on  his  way  to  embark  for  Ireland. 

'  The  return  of  the  King  from  Ireland. 

'  Queen  Mary  died  December  28,  1694.  She  was  buried  in  Henry  VII. th's 
Chapel  in  Westminster  Abbey  the  following  5th  of  March,  the  body  in  the 
interim  having  Iain  in  state  at  Whitehall.  The  great  bell  in  every  parish 
church  in  England  was  ordered  to  toll  for  three  hours  the  day  of  the 
funeral. 

e  Queen  Anne  was  crowned  at  Westminster  Abbey  on  St.  George's  Day, 
April  23,  1702. 


The  Church  Records.  541 


They  were  drowned 
in  each  other's  arms 
atGreenhamPound 
Lock  tail. 


£ 

s. 

d. 

0 

10 

0 

0 

2 

6 

1 7 16.  Pd.  for  ringing  King  George's  Birth  Day 
1723.  Pd.  for  ringing  Queen  Eliz.  Day  (Nov.  17) 

1739  and  40.  Pd.  for  a  Fox,  Pole  Catt,  Weesel,  and 
Sparrows  .         . 029 

1740  and   41.  Pd.   for  three   Pole   Catts,   2    Hedg 

Hogs,  and  Sparrows  .         .         .         .         .         .020 

Child  of  Jos.  Purdue  the  Bell  .       010 
Child  of  James  Clark  the  Bell         010 
Jam.  Linch  and  Miss  PHmouth 

the  Bell        .         .         .         .020 

Child  of  Jos.  Purdue  the  Bell  .       010 
Pd.  the  Ringers  for  Cathergen  ^    .         .         .         .0126 

Pd.  for  papper,  and  gave  a  poore  object        .         .010 

1742  and   43.  Pd.    for   ringing  for  the    Victory   at 
Detingen  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .       o  to     o 

1743  and  44.  Pd.  for  trying  the  new  Engine      .         .040 

1 744  and  45.  Pd.  for  Hedg  Hoggs,  Pole  Catts,  and 
Whesells  .         .  .         .         .         .         .         .024 

Pd.  for  a  Bason  for  the  Font         .         .         .         .004 

1760  and  61.  Pd.  Ringers  the  day  his  present  Ma- 
jesty was  Crown        .         .         .         .         .         .110 

1796  and  97.  Pd.  for  ringing  25th  Oct.,  5th  Nov., 

and  on  Lord  St.  Vincent's  Victory  .  .  .1100 
1798  and  99.    Pd.    Ringers,    the    Surrender   of  the 

Irish  army  to  Marquis  Cornwallis       .         .         .0106 

1801  and  2.  Pd.  Ringers  on  acct.  of  the  Victory  at 
Copenhagen     .         .         .         .         .         .         .110 

Do.  June  4th,   King's   Birthday  and  Association 

Field  day' i      i     o 

Do.  on  account  of  Peace,  twice     .         .         .         .       1   16     o 

1802  and  3.  Do.  sundry  times  relative  to  the  Peace       3     3° 
Exp',  illuminating   Church   and   Tower  on   acct. 

of  do 223 

1808  and  9.  Ringers  for  Lieut.  General  Sir  Arthur 

Wellesley's  Victory  over  the  French  ^  .  .220 
1812  and  13.  Ringers  for  Lord  Wellington's  Victory 

at  Salamanca 2126 


•>  The  bombardment  of  Carthagena  by  Admiral  Vernon,  1740-41. 
'  Volunteer  Association.  ''  Vimiera. 


542  The  Church  Records. 

£  s.  d. 

Ringers  on  Lord  Wellington  entering  Madrid         .       i    lo  o 

Do.  when  Prince  Regent  pass'd  through  Newbury       i     i  o 

Do.  at  Public  Dinner i     i  o 

1813  and  14.  Ringers  on  Lord  Wellington's  Victory 

at  Vittoria '     5  ° 

Do.  do.  do.  over  Marshal  Soult '   .         .         .         .160 
Do.  for  two  Victories  obtained  the  22nd  and  25th 

Nov 2   10  o 

Do.  for  another  Victory,  and  at  the  Illumination   .       Z     Z  ° 

Do.  Battle  of  Waterloo t     i  o 

1837  and  38.  Pd.  Ringers  for  King's  and  Victoria's 

Birth  days 19 

Do.  Her  Majesty's  Accession        .         .         .         .200 


o 


The  Church  Charities. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Church  Charities  are  in  possession 
of  a  considerable  estate  in  land,  houses,  and  rent-charges, 
called  respectively,  The  Church  Estates,  The  Church 
Almshouses,  and  the  subsidiary  endowments  thereof, 
and  the  Charities  of  John  Hunt,  John  Howes,  Hugh 
Hawkins,  John  Seeley,  Anthony  Cooke,  and  John 
Giles,  Hannah  Aldworth,  Richard  Dixon,  Henry 
Hobbes,  John  Cooke  the  Elder,  the  Unknown  Donor, 
and  John  Child. 

These  charities  are  now  administered  in  accordance 
with  a  scheme  established  by  the  Board  of  Charity  Com- 
missioners for  England  and  Wales,  in  December,  1883,  by 
which  the  following  persons  are  appointed  trustees : — 
James  Porteus  Jackson,  Francis  Flower  Somerset,  Robert 
Birch,  Broome  Pinniger,  Rev.  Henry  Thornhill  Morgan, 
Walter  Money,  and  Benjamin  Smith.  The  Rector  and 
Churchwardens  of  the  parish  of  Newbury  being  ex-ofificio 
Trustees. 

New  almshouses  have  been  erected  in  the  Newtown 
Road,  under  the  authority  of  an  order  of  the  Charity 
Commissioners  bearing  date  February  28,  1879,  for  the 

'  Pyrenees. 


The  Church  Records.  543 

residence  of  fifteen  almspeople :  twelve  of  the  said  alms- 
houses to  be  called  "  The  Church  Almshouses,"  and  to  be 
appointed  for  the  residence  of  six  men  and  six  women. 
The  three  remaining  almshouses  to  be  called  "  Child's 
Almshouses,"  and  to  be  appropriated  for  the  residence  of 
three  men. 

The  Church  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist, 
Newbury. 

The  ecclesiastical  parish  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist  was 
formed  in  1859,  out  of  portions  of  the  parishes  of  New- 
bury and  Greenham.  The  Church  consecrated  in  i860 
was  erected  by  Miss  Hubbard,  in  memory  of  her  parents, 
from  the  designs  of  Mr.  Butterfield,  Architect,  and  is  of 
brick  in  the  Decorated  style.  It  consists  of  chancel,  nave, 
north  aisle,  and  a  bell-turret  with  two  bells ;  the  church  is 
entirely  free,  and  will  seat  500  persons. 

Under  the  west  window  is  the  following  inscription  : — 

-1-AD  :  GLORIAM  :  PATRIS  :  ET  :  FILII  :  ET  :  SPIRITVS  :  SANCTI-I- 
IN  :  MEMORIAM  :  JOHANNIS  :  HVBBARD  :  ET  :  MARIANNE  :  VXORIS  : 
EIVS  :  PARENTVM  :  OPTIME  :  MERENTIVM  :  HELENA  :  FILIA  :  EORVM  : 
HANC  :  ECCLESIAM  :  SANCTI  :  JOHANNES  :  EVANGELISTS  :  jEDIFI- 
CANDAM  :  CURAVIT  :  A.D.  MDCCCLX. 

The  east  window  is  filled  with  stained  glass,  and  is  thus 
inscribed : — 

IN    MEMORIAM   JOHANNIS    ET   MARIANiE 
HVBBARD    FRANCESCA   DVRRANT,  D  .D  . 

One  of  the  windows  in  the  north  aisle  is  dedicated  as 
a  memorial  to  the  Rev.  William  Medland,  a  former  curate, 
who  died  Nov.  23,  1871. 

St.  John's  is  a  Vicarage  in  the  gift  of  the  Bishop  of 
Oxford,  and  held  from  1871  to  1884  by  the  Rev.  Henry 
Thornhill  Morgan,  M.A.,  of  Trinity  College,  Oxford.  The 
present  Vicar  is  the  Rev.  T.  G.  Barlow-Poole,  M.A.,  of  St. 
John's  College,  Cambridge. 

St.  John's  Sunday  Schools. 
In  the  year  1874  a  very  handsome  building  for  Sunday 
Schools,  in  connection  with  St.  John's  Church,  was  erected 


544  ^■^^^  Church  Records. 

at  the  sole  cost  of  the  late  D.  T.  Morgan,  Esq.,  father  of  the 
then  Vicar  of  the  parish  ;  and  opened  by  the  Lord  Bishop 
of  the  Diocese. 


St.  Mary's  Church,  Speenhamland. 

Speenhamland,  although  forming  part  of  the  Municipal 
Borough  of  Newbury,  is  a  separate  and  ecclesiastical  parish 
formed  in  1844.  The  Church  of  St.  Mary  was  erected  in 
the  years  1829-31,  from  the  designs  of  Mr.  Savage,  Archi- 
tect, at  a  cost  of  about  ;£'7,000,  and  consecrated  August  16, 
1 83 1.  The  church  contains  sittings  for  about  800  persons, 
and  has  recently  been  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  a  new 
chancel,  designed  by  the  late  G.  E.  Street,  R.A. ;  the  other 
part  of  the  building  has  also  been  remodelled. 

The  Reredos  is  a  memorial  to  the  Rev.  H.  W.  Majendie, 
and  on  a  brass  plate  affixed  to  the  west  wall  of  the  chan- 
cel is  engraved : — 

"To  the  Glory  of  God  and  in  grateful  memory  of  Henry 
William  Majendie,  Vicar  of  Speen,  in  whose  Incumbency  and  by 
whose  exertions  this  Church  of  St.  Mary  was  founded  a.d.  183  i, 
this  Reredos  was  erected  by  his  parishioners  and  friends  at  the 
consecration  of  the  new  chancel  1879." 

Below  is  a  small  brass  plate  inscribed  to  the  memory  of 
Eliza  Packer  by  her  sister. 

The  large  east  window  of  the  chancel,  filled  with  rich 
stained  glass,  is  an  offering  of  Miss  Goldfrapp,  to  the 
Glory  of  God,  and  in  memory  of  her  relative  Mrs,  Eliza- 
beth Sherwood,  who  died  March  25,  1876. 

On  the  east  wall  of  the  chancel  is  a  brass  plate  re- 
cording that 

The  Paintings  in  this  Chancel  are  dedicated  to  the 
Glory  of  God. 

Given  by  William  John  Cowper  in  memory  of  his  beloved  wife 
Georgina  Charlotte,  who  died  December  3,  1884. 

Also  in  loving  remembrance  of  Major-General  Henry  Bower, 
for  many  years  resident  in  this  Parish,  who  died  February  15, 
1873.     The  gift  of  his  daughters. 


The  CImrch  Records.  545 

The  choir  stalls  were  given  in  memory  of 

Rev.  H.  W.  Majendie;  Members  of  the  Pocock  family;  Philip 
Childs  the  younger ;  Mary  Anne  Twitchin  ;  Austin  Champion 
and  his  wife ;  Rev.  John  Hartland  Worgan ;  Mrs.  Sparrow ; 
Cornelius  Weaver  Doe;  Ellen  Baker;  William  Lidderdale; 
Christopher  Royston ;  Elizabeth  Margaret  Vesey. 

The  two  stained-glass  windows  on  the  west  side  of  the 
chancel  are  respectively  dedicated  by  the  parishioners  to 
the  memory  of  John  Tanner,  50  years  Churchwarden, 
June  8,  1881 ;  and  James  Corbould,  19  years  Churchwar- 
den, Easter,  1884.  The  window  by  the  west  doorway  is 
dedicated  to  the  memory  of  Frederick  and  Rachael  Tay- 
lor, Sept.  16,  1879. 

The  following  tablets  are  now  placed  in  a  vestibule  at 
the  south  end  of  the  nave : — 

Lovelace  White,  d.  Mar.  14,  1863,  a.  56. 

Andrew  Eyre,  late  of  the  East  India  Company's  Maritime  Ser- 
vice, d.  May  2,  1843,  a.  63. 

Benson  Higgs,  d.  April  25,  1837,  a.  66. 

William  Elliott,  d.  Oct.  2,  1844,  a.  62;  and  Elizabeth  his 
wife,  d.  May  6,  1834,  a.  47. 

Richard  Andrews,  late  Major  81  Reg.,  d.  Oct.  24,  1844,  a.  83  ; 
Ann,  his  dau.  d.  Dec.  14,  1858,  a.  74,  "bequeathing  her  pro- 
perty to  various  Charitable  institutions  in  England  and  Ireland, 
this  Church  and  Parish  largely  participating." 

Robert  Rowell,  d.  Feb.  9,  1839,  a.  55  ;  Elizabeth,  his  rehct, 
d.  May  12,  1840,  a.  40. 

Emma,  4th  dau.  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Rowell,  d.  Jan.  14, 
1853,  in  her  17th  year. 

William  Ward  Goddard,  b.  Aug.  31,  1818,  d.  Sept.  15,  1837; 
George  Goddard,  b.  Nov.  14,  1803,  d.  Feb.  19,  1838  ;  interred 
in  churchyard  of  St.  John's,  Hackney. 

Rebecca,  wife  of  Thomas  Smith,  d.  Aug.  25,  1838,  a.  77. 

Thomas  Smith,  d.  Oct.  17,  1843,  a.  75. 

Mary,  rehct  of  John  Bunce,  of  Sheepstead  in  this  Co.,  d.  April 
15,  1852,  a.  71. 

John  Mort  Bunny,  M.D.,  formerly  of  the  76  Reg.,  in  which  he 
served  at  Walcheren,  the  Peninsula,  and  in  Canada,  d.  July 
25,  1848,  a.  64 

N  n 


546  The  Church  Records. 

Sarah  Humphris,  d.  Nov.  12, 1853  ;  her  dau.  Martha  Herring, 
wife  of  Thos.  Darling,  d.  Dec.  17,  1858;  also  Thomas  Dar- 
ling, d.  May  4,  1865,  a.  82. 

Samuel  Hancock,  d.  May  27,  1835,  a.  66 ;  Nancy  Strong,  his 
wid.  d  Mar.  21,  1841. 

George  Goddard,  born  at  Chieveley  Dec.  22,  1772,  d.  Nov.  12, 
1834;  Sarah,  his  widow,  b.  May  27,  1774,  d.  April  21,  1852. 

Matilda,  wife  of  James  Bodman,  Jun.,  d.  Nov.  19,  1846,  a.  33 ; 
also  James  Bodman,  d.  May  5,  1868,  a.  71. 

William  Mills,  d.  Nov.  7,  1857,  a.  90;  Elizabeth,  his  relict, 
d.  June  15,  1865,  in  her  94th  year. 

Charles  Bull,  d.  Aug.  22,  1831,  a.  64;  Charles  Atlee  Bull, 
his  son,  d.  May  8,  1828,  a.  25  ;  Hannah,  widow  of  Charles 
Bull,  d.  Feb.  15,  1846,  a.  83. 

The  Vicarage  is  in  the  gift  of  the  Bishop  of  Oxford, 
and  has  been  held  since  1875  by  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Gibbs, 
M.A.,  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge. 


APPENDICES. 


The  Mayors,  High  Stewards,  Recorders,  and  Town  Clerks  of  Newbury.— 
Persons  of  Note  connected  with  Newbury,  &c. 

Mayors  of  Newbury,  from  i  596. 

IT  was  Queen  Elizabeth's  Charter  of  1596  which,  as  we 
have  seen  in  a  previous  chapter,  first  gave  to  the  town 
its  corporate  character.  The  Mayor,  in  accordance  with  the 
direction  of  this  Charter,  was  formerly  elected  on  St. 
Matthew's  Day  (September  21),  by  the  Mayor,  Aldermen, 
and  twelve  Capital  Burgesses.  This  custom  was  continued 
till  the  passing  of  the  Municipal  Reform  Act,  under  which, 
according  to  a  uniform  rule  provided  therein  fpr  all 
boroughs,  the  mayors  are  elected  on  November  9,  by  the 
Town  Council.  The  term  of  office  of  the  Mayor  is  one 
year,  but  he  is  bound  to  continue  in  office  until  his  succes- 
sor has  accepted  office,  and  made  and  subscribed  the  re- 
quired declaration. 

In  the  13th  of  Charles  II.  (1661),  a  reign  remarkable  for 
the  enactment  of  penal  measures,  a  bill  was  passed  that 
no  person  should  bear  any  office  of  magistracy  concerning 
the  government  of  any  town,  corporation,  &c.,  who  had 
not  received  the  Sacrament,  according  to  the  Church  of 
England,  within  one  year  before  his  election,  and  who  had 
not  taken  the  oath  of  Supremacy,  &c.  A  curious  case 
concerning  the  direction  of  this  Act  of  Parliament  oc- 
curred at  Newbury  in  1674,  when  Mr.  Richard  Pocock, 
a  solicitor  of  the  town,  having  been  duly  elected  Mayor, 
and  received  the  Sacrament  according  to  the  usage  of  the 
Church  of  England,  the  Rector  of  Newbury,  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Sayer,  refused  to  give  him  the  usual  certificate  for 
certain  reasons  which   are   not   stated.     The   case   came 

N  n  2 


548  Appendices. 

before  the  judges  at  the  Assizes  held  at  Abingdon,  when 
the  jury  gave  a  verdict  on  all  points  against  the  Crown,  so 
judgment  was  returned  for  the  defendant  Sayer. 

Formerly  the  Mayor  of  Newbury  received  a  sum  of 
forty  pounds  towards  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  inau- 
gural feast;  but  in  1691  the  amount  was  reduced  to  ^20, 
until  such  time  as  the  cost  of  certain  repairs  to  the  parish 
church,  towards  which  the  Corporation  voted  ;£'20  a  year, 
had  been  paid.  In  1696,  this  amount  having  been  paid  off, 
the  £i,o  a  year  was  again  allowed;  and  in  1715  Mr. 
Richard  Cowslade  augmented  the  allowance  by  granting 
£ij  a  year  towards  the  expenses  of  the  Mayor's  feast  out 
of  certain  lands  at  Kintbury.  In  1742  it  was  ordered  by 
the  Corporation  that  ijio  a  year  should  be  deducted  from 
the  payment  to  the  Mayor,  being  the  annual  cost  of  a  large 
cake  it  was  customary  to  provide  on  the  feast-day.  Sub- 
sequently £^0  yearly  was  allowed  to  the  Mayor,  but  in 
1752,  owing  to  monetary  difficulties  in  connection  with 
the  municipal  charities,  the  payment  of  this  sum  was  dis- 
continued. The  only  remuneration  of  the  Mayor  at  the 
present  day  is  the  £'^  a  year  given  by  Richard  Cow- 
slade, which  is  still  paid  by  the  trustees  of  that  Charity. 

The  office  of  Mayor  has  been  frequently  avoided,  and 
there  are  several  instances  recorded  at  Newbury  of  persons 
who  have  been  elected  to  the  office  paying  the  fine  rather 
than  accept  the  mayoralty.  In  1747  Mr.  John  Head,  duly 
qualified,  paid  a  fine  of  ^^20  to  be  excused  the  office,  which 
was  expended  in  the  purchase  of  the  old  pewter  plates  for 
the  corporate  entertainments,  which  were  disposed  of 
a  few  years  since. 

The  Mayor  on  his  election  is  now  vested  with  the  chain 
of  office,  which  was  subscribed  for  by  public  subscription 
in  the  mayoralty  of  Mr.  Robert  Johnston. 

By  virtue  of  his  office  the  Mayor  is  a  justice  of  the 
peace  for  the  borough  during  the  time  he  serves,  and,  un- 
less disqualified  to  be  Mayor,  continues  to  be  such  a  jus- 
tice during  the  year  next  after  he  ceases  to  be  Mayor. 
He  presides  at  all  meetings  of  the  Council,  and  has  a 
second  or  casting  vote.     He  is  also  returning  officer  for 


Appendices. 


549 


the  borough.  A  deputy- mayor,  either  an  alderman  or 
councillor,  is  appointed  by  the  Mayor  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing on  November  9. 

The  Mayor  has  precedence  over  all  other  justices  acting 
in  and  for  the  borough,  and  is  entitled  to  take  the  chair  at 
all  meetings  of  justices  held  in  the  borough,  at  which  he 
is  present  by  virtue  of  his  office  of  Mayor. 

The  fine  for  non-acceptance  of  the  office  of  Mayor  is 
placed  at  £100,  as  the  Council  by  bye-law  determine,  but 
if  there  be  no  bye-law  determining  fines,  the  fine  in  case 
of  a  Mayor  is  £^0. 


A  List  of  Mayors  of  Newbury  from  the  Date  of 
THE  Incorporation  of  the  Borough,  in  1596. 


Year  of  taking  Office  {elected  Sept.  2l), 
1596.   Bartholomew  Yate. 
1597. 

1598.  GabrieU  Cox. 

1599.  William  Camber. 

1600.  

1601.  John  Chamberlajme. 

1602.  Edward  Holmes. 

1603.  

1604.  Bartholomew  Yates. 

1605.  Henry  Cox. 
1606. 

1607.  

1608.  William  Camber. 

1609. 

1610.  Roger  Weston. 
l6li.  Thomas  Goddard. 

1612.  • 

1613.  Richard  Waller. 

1 6 14.  Anthony  Child. 

1615.  Richard  Waller. 

1616.  

1617.  John  Hunt,  Sen. 

1618.  

1619.  Thomas  Newman. 

1620.  Thomas  Goddard. 

1621.  Thomas  Houghton. 

1622.  Richard  Avery. 

1623.  Richard  Waller. 

1624.  Hugh  Hawkins. 

1625.  Edward  Longman. 


Year  of  taking  Office  [elected  Sept.  21) 

1626.  William  Howes. 

1627.  Gabriel  Cox. 

1628.  Thomas  Gyles. 

1629.  John  Houghton. 

1630.  William  Hunt. 

1631.  William  Avery. 

1632.  Richard  Waller. 

1633.  Hugh  Hawkins. 

1634.  William  Howes. 

1635.  Gabriel  Cox. 

1636.  John  Houghton. 

1637.  John  Cooke. 

1638.  Richard  Waller. 

1639.  Hugh  Hawkins. 

1640.  Timothy  Avery. 

1641.  William  Pearse. 

1642.  John  Edmandes. 

1643.  Gabriel  Cox. 

1644.  William  Nash. 

1645.  Philip  Weston. 

1646.  Amos  Averie. 

1647.  John  Burch. 

1648.  John  Cooke. 

1649.  William  Pearse. 

1650.  John  Edmandes. 

1651.  Gabriel  Cox. 

1652.  Philip  Weston. 

1653.  John  Burch. 

1654.  Richard  Claver. 

1655.  Richard  Fanner. 


SSo 


Appendices. 


Year  of  taking  Office  [fleeted  Sept.  21). 

1656.  Robert  Blount. 

1657.  John  Gyles. 

1658.  Shuff  Pinfall. 

1659.  William  Waller. 

1660.  John  Seely. 

1661.  Henry    Linch,     died     July, 
1661. 

July,  i66i.  Gabriel   Cox  (for  re- 
mainder of  year). 

1662.  John  Edmandes. 

1663.  George  Cowslad. 

1664.  John  Mundy. 

1665.  Thomas  Cowslad. 

1666.  John  Rider. 

1667.  Gabriel  Cox. 

1668.  John  Gyles. 

1669.  Thomas  Cowslad. 

1670.  Thomas  Wilson. 

1671.  John  Rider. 

1672.  George  Cowslad. 

1673.  Richard  Pocock. 

1674.  Levi  Smith. 

1675.  Joseph  Garrard. 

1676.  Abraham  Stockwell. 

1677.  Richard  Reeves. 

1678.  Thomas  Paradise. 

1679.  John  Smith. 

1680.  James  Pearse. 

1681.  Thomas  Salter. 

1682.  Thomas  Wilson. 

1683.  Joseph  Pearse. 

1684.  Church  Simmons. 

1685.  George  Compton. 

1686.  Richard  Cooper. 

1687.  Francis  Cox  (removed). 
Jan.  1688.  John  Cooke. 

1688.  Nathaniel  Collins. 
Oct.  25,  1688.  John  Burchell. 

1689.  John  Gyles. 

1690.  John  Hore. 

1 69 1.  Thomas  Hughes. 

1692.  Joseph  Head,  sen. 

1693.  Bartholomew  Hughes,   died 

Nov. 
Nov.     1693.    Levi   Smith   (for  re- 
mainder of  year). 

1694.  John  Hedges. 

1695.  Richard  Gray. 


Year  of  taking  Office  [elected  Sept.  21). 

1696.  Samuel  Slocock. 

1697.  John  Burchell. 

1698.  William  Rider. 

1699.  Adam  Hill. 

1700.  Abraham  Stockwell. 

1701.  John  Rawlins. 

1702.  Edward  Weekes. 

1703.  Thomas  Seely. 

1704.  Thomas  Stockwell. 

1705.  Nicholas  Snow. 

1706.  Edward  Godwin. 

1707.  Edward  Stewart. 

1708.  John  Parsons. 

1709.  Joseph  Parsons. 

17 10.  Edward  Smith. 

171 1.  John  Gray. 

17 12.  Robert  Nalder. 

1713.  Joseph  Head,  jun. 

1714.  Oliver  Slocock. 

1 715.  Richard  Berry. 

1 7 16.  John  Beale. 

1717.  William  Townsend. 

1718.  Edward  Lovelock. 

1 719.  Francis  Page. 

1720.  Laurence  Head. 

1721.  Benjamin  Head. 

1722.  William  Cundell. 

1723.  Richard  Cartwright. 

1724.  Wilham  Russell. 

1725.  John  Hinton. 

1726.  Thomas  Stockwell. 

1727.  Edward  Stewart. 

1728.  John  Beale. 

1729.  William  Townsend. 

1730.  Edward  Lovelock. 

1 73 1.  Robert  Nalder. 

1732.  Edward  Smith. 

1733.  Peter  Ely. 

1734.  John  Bond. 

1735.  Giles  Townsend. 

1736.  John  Weeks. 

1737.  Edward  Walter. 

1738.  John  Head. 

1739.  John  Cox. 

1740.  John  Wellman. 

1 74 1.  Richard  Walter. 

1742.  George  Calverley. 

1743.  Lypeat  Bodman. 


Appendices. 


5SI 


Year  of  taking  Office  (elecled  Sept.  21). 
1744.   Richard  Budd. 
1 745'  Jonathan  Knackstone. 

1746.  Richard  King. 

1747.  Laurence  Head. 

1748.  Richard  Golding. 

1749.  Charles  Sutton. 
yune,  1750.  Laurence  Head. 
Sept.  21,  1750.  Joseph  Bolton. 

1751.  Thomas  Golding. 

1752.  John  Townsend. 

1753.  Samuel  Slocock. 

1754.  Francis  Page. 

1755.  Benjamin  Merriman. 

1756.  George  Calverley. 
1757-  John  Cox. 

1758.  John  Kimber. 

1759.  William  Annetts. 

1760.  Henry  Cox. 

1 761.  William  Bodman. 

1762.  Edward  Withers. 

1763.  Richard  Robinson. 

1764.  Thomas  Lovidge. 

1765.  John  Lynch. 

1766.  George  Jones. 

1767.  Samuel  Toomer. 

1768.  Joseph  Fumell. 

1769.  Israel  King. 

1770.  Jo.  Millet. 

1771.  Osman  Vincent. 

1772.  John  Townsend,  jun. 

1773.  Richard  BaOy. 

1774.  Richard  Townsend. 

1775.  Samuel  Slocock. 

1776.  Richard  Townsend. 
1 777-  Benjamin  Barnard. 

1778.  John  Grantham. 

1779.  Joseph  Gray. 

1780.  John  Clark. 

1781.  John  Townsend,  sen. 

1 782.  Thomas  Lovidge. 

1783.  Samuel  Toomer. 

1784.  John  Grantham. 

1785.  Joseph  Gray. 

1786.  Andrew  Grove. 

1787.  John  Hasker. 

1788.  John  Webb. 

1789.  William  Budd. 

1790.  Benjamin  Hawkins. 


Year  of  taking  Office  (elected  Sept.  21). 

1791.  Joseph  Toomer. 

1792.  James  Bodman. 

1793.  Richard  Golding. 

1794.  William  Vincent. 

1795.  Samuel  Grigg. 

1796.  Richard  Atlee. 

1797.  William  Davis. 

1798.  Andrew  Grove. 

1799.  John  Hasker. 

1800.  Benjamin  Hawkins. 
iSoi.  Joseph  Toomer. 

1802.  James  Bodman. 

1803.  William  Vincent. 

1804.  Samuel  Grigg. 

1805.  Richard  Atlee. 

1806.  William  Davis. 

1807.  Richard  Compton. 

1808.  WiUiam  Green. 

1809.  Alfred  Slocock. 

1810.  William  Green. 

181 1.  Richard  Compton. 

1812.  Alfred  Slocock. 

1813.  „ 

1 814.  Joseph  Toomer. 

1815.  Benjamin  Barnard. 

1816.  James  Bodman. 

1817.  Richard  Compton. 

1818.  Edmund  Slocock. 

1 8 19.  John  Hasker. 

1820.  John  Gater  Marriner. 

1821.  John  Grigg. 

1822.  Thomas  Wilmott. 

1823.  Edward  Pointer  Haskins. 

1824.  William  Mills. 

1825.  John  Satchell. 

1826.  James  Hazell. 

1827.  John  Hasker. 

1828.  John  Grigg. 

April,  1829.  Edward  Pointer  Has- 
kins. 
Sept.  1829.  William  Mills. 

1830.  John  Satchell. 

1831.  James  Hazell. 

1832.  James  Bodman,  jun. 

1833.  John  Alexander. 

1834.  „ 
1835. 


552 


Appendices. 


Municipal  Corporation  Act  passed. 
Mr.  Alexander  elected,  Dec.  26, 

1835- 
Year  of  taking  Office  {elected  Nov.  9). 
1836.  Jere'  Bunny. 

1837-     „ 

1838.  George  Payne. 

1839.  Edward  William  Gray. 

1840.  George  Payne. 

1841.  John  Lewis. 

1842.  George  Scarr  Higgons. 

1843.  William  Dredge. 

1844.  Thomas  Simmons. 

1845.  Robert  Martin. 

1846.  George  Adey. 

1847.  Edward  Laurence  Farrow. 

1848.  Theophilus  Verney  Turner. 

1849- 

1850.  William  Dredge. 

1851- 

1852.  Joseph  Frederick  Hickman. 

1853- 

1854.  Thomas  Deller. 

1855.  John  Hawe  Mason. 

1856.  Edward  Wilson. 

1857.  James  Porteus  Jackson. 

1858.  Henry  Keens. 

1859.  Henry  Flint. 
i860.       ,,  „ 


Year  0/ taking  Office  [elected  Nov.  9), 

1861.  John  William  Randall. 

1862.  „  „ 

1863.  James  Henry  Lucas. 

1864.  Thomas  Fidler. 
Edward  Pellew  Plenty. 
William  Henry  Cave. 


Henry  Dolton. 

Robert  Atkinson  Ryott. 

Samuel  Flint. 

Joseph  Frederick  Hickman. 


1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 

1873-  „  .. 

1874.  William  George  Adey. 

1875- 

1876.  James  Absalom. 

1877.  Charles  Samuel  Slocock. 

1878.  Thomas  Edward  Hawkins. 

1879.  James  Benjamin  Stone. 

1880.  Charles  Lucas. 

1881.  Montagu    Henry  Campbell 

Palmer. 

1882.  Joseph  Hopson. 

1883.  Robert  Johnston. 

1884.  William  Hall. 

1885.  Richard  Ravenor. 

1886.  Benjamin  Smith. 


The  High  Steward. 

This  office  is  now  become  a  mere  honorary  distinction, 
but  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  at  one  time  the  High 
Steward  was  considered  as  a  necessary  check  on  any  abuse 
of  the  royal  prerogative,  and  as  a  means  of  communication 
between  the  Corporate  authorities  and  the  Ministers  of  the 
Crown. 

Under  the  Charter  of  Queen  Elizabeth  the  Corporation 
of  Newbury  have  the  power  of  electing  "  one  eminent  and 
discreet  man  from  time  to  time  "  as  their  High  Steward, 
who  is  authorised  to  constitute  under  his  hand  and  seal 
a  Deputy-Steward  or  Recorder. 

The  following  list  of  those  who  have  had  the  honour  of 
filling  the  office  has  been  chiefly  compiled  from  the  exist- 


Appendices.  tt-i 

ing   Corporation   records,  which   are,  however,  very  im- 
perfect. 

High  Stewards  of  Newbury,  from  1596. 

Sir  John  Wolley,  the  Queen's  Latin  Secretary,  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  office  by  the  Charter  of  Queen  Elizabeth 
in  1596. 

For  a  considerable  period  after  the  date  of  the  Incorpo- 
ration of  the  town  no  local  records  are  available  to  en- 
able us  to  supply  the  names  of  the  succeeding  High 
Stewards. 

Sir  Anthony  Craven,  Knt.,  cousin  of  William,  ist  Lord 
Craven,  was  holding  the  office  in  May,  1685,  and  he  no 
doubt  retained  the  same  until  his  death  in  1690. 

William,  Lord  Craven,  appears  to  have  succeeded  his 
cousin  in  the  office  in  1690,  but  the  record  of  his  appoint- 
ment does  not  appear  in  the  minute-book  of  the  Corpo- 
ration. 

He  was  eldest  son  of  Sir  William  Craven,  Merchant- 
Taylor,  and  Lord  Mayor  of  London ;  and  entering  the 
army  in  early  life,  signalized  himself  in  Germany  and 
the  Netherlands,  under  Henry,  Prince  of  Orange.  On 
his  return  to  England  he  was  knighted  at  Newmarket, 
and  afterwards,  March  4,  1626,  raised  to  the  dignity  of 
Baron.  In  1631  he  was  sent  to  the  assistance  of  Gusta- 
vus,  King  of  Sweden,  who  had  taken  up  arms  in  Germany 
to  support  the  Protestant  cause.  In  the  assault  and  cap- 
ture of  the  castle  of  Kreuzenach  he  was  wounded,  and  after- 
wards taken  prisoner  by  the  Emperor's  troops  in  1637.  On 
obtaining  his  liberty  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Prince  of 
Orange,  and  resided  with  him  till  the  Restoration.  By 
Charles  he  was  created  Viscount  and  Earl  of  Craven,  and 
his  confiscated  property  restored.  He  continued  in  the 
confidence  of  Charles  during  the  whole  of  his  reign ;  at- 
tended at  the  Coronation  of  James  the  Second  ;  and  was 
much  grieved  at  being  obliged  to  resign  his  command  as 
Colonel  of  the  Coldstream  Guards,  of  which  he  was  de- 
prived by  King  William  III.     Lord  Craven,  who  built  the 


554  Appendices. 

magnificent  mansion  at  Hampstead-Marshall,  which  was 
burnt  down  in  171 8,  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished 
gentlemen  of  the  day,  was  much  beloved  and  equally 
respected.  He  died  April  9,  1697,  upwards  of  eighty- 
eight  years  of  age,  when  the  Earldom  and  Viscounty 
expired,  but  the  Barony  of  Craven  of  Hampstead-Marshall 
devolved  upon  the  grandson  of  Sir  Thomas  Craven,  in 
accordance  with  the  limitation. 

William,  2nd  Baron  Craven,  son  and  heir  of  William, 
eldest  son  of  Sir  Thomas  Craven,  Knt.,  and  cousin  of 
William,  first  Lord  Craven,  above  mentioned,  was  unani- 
mously elected  to  the  office,  April  15,  1697.  -^'^  Lordship 
was  Lord-lieutenant  and  custos  rotulorum  of  Berkshire. 
He  died  in  171 1. 

Henry  St.  John,  Lord  Viscount  Bolingbroke,  was  ap- 
pointed, September  21,  1712,  in  the  place  of  William,  Lord 
Craven,  deceased.  Lord  Bolingbroke  was  the  celebrated 
Secretary  of  State  to  Queen  Anne,  and  his  connection  with 
this  neighbourhood  arose  from  his  having  married,  as  his 
first  wife,  Frances,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Winchcombe, 
Bart,  of  Bucklebury.  His  Lordship  was  attainted  on  im- 
peachment in  1714,  and  justified  the  condemnation  by 
entering  the  service  of  the  Pretender.  In  1725  he  was 
restored  to  his  estates  without  his  honours,  and  conse- 
quently was  not  re-admitted  to  the  House  of  Lords,  Wal- 
pole  fearing  to  give  so  dangerous  an  enemy  the  means 
of  attacking  him  in  debate.  He  died  at  Bolingbroke 
House,  Battersea,  December  15,  175 1,  and  was  buried  in 
the  parish  church,  which  contains  a  monument  to  his 
memory,  executed  by  Roubiliac,  the  famous  French 
sculptor. 

Robert  Packer,  Esq.,  M.P.  for  the  county  of  Berks,  who 
married  a  daughter  of  Sir  Henry  Winchcombe,  Bart.,  and 
sister  to  Lady  Bolingbroke,  was  elected  September  21, 
171 5,  vice  Lord  Bolingbroke  disqualified.  Mr.  Packer,  who 
obtained  the  Bucklebury  and  other  estates  of  the  Winch- 
combes  through  his  wife,  died  at  his  seat  at  Bucklebury 
April  4,  1731- 


Appendices.  555 

William,  2,rd  Baron  Craven,  son  and  heir  of  the  second 
baron,  succeeded  Mr.  Packer,  and  was  elected  April  10, 
1731.  He  died  in  1739,  without  issue,  when  the  barony 
devolved  upon  his  brother. 

Fulwar,  /^th  Baron  Craven,  was  appointed  in  succession 
to  his  brother  in  1739.  His  Lordship  died  unmarried  in 
1764,  when  the  title  reverted  to  his  first  cousin  and  heir, 
William,  fifth  Baron  Craven. 

William,  ^th  Baron  Craven,  was  elected  in  the  place  of 
Fulwar,  Lord  Craven,  deceased,  December  22,  1764,  and 
sworn  April  8,  1765.     He  died  in  1769,  without  issue. 

William,  6th  Baron  Craven,  nephew  and  heir  of  the  last, 
was  appointed  in  the  place  of  William,  Lord  Craven, 
deceased.  May  3,  1769,  and  sworn  the  following  May  9. 
This  nobleman  married.  May  1 8,  1 767,  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Augustus,  4th  Earl  of  Berkeley,  who  married  after  his 
decease  Christian  Frederick,  Margrave  of  Brandenburgh- 
Anspach  and  Bayreuth,  who  resided  at  Benham  House. 
He  died  September  26,  1791. 

William,  Jth  Baron  Craven,  was  appointed  High- 
Steward  on  the  death  of  his  father,  and  sworn  September 
24,  1792.  He  was  created  Viscount  Uffington,  co.  Berks, 
and  Earl  of  Craven,  co.  York,  June  13,  1801.  His  Lord- 
ship, who  was  a  major-general  in  the  army,  and  Lord- 
lieutenant  of  Berks,  died  July  30,  1825. 

Henry  George,  2nd  Earl  of  Carnarvon,  was  appointed  in 
succession  to  the  Earl  of  Craven  in  September,  1825.  He 
died  April  16,  1833. 

William,  2.nd  Earl  and  ?>th  Baron  Craven,  was  ap- 
pointed in  the  room  of  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon,  deceased. 
May  7,  1833. 

George  Grimston,  -^rd  Earl  and  gth  Baron  Craven,  Lord- 
lieutenant  of  Berks,  was  appointed  in  succession  to  his 
father,  January  14,  1869. 

Henry  Howard  Molyneux,  \th  Earl  of  Carnarvon,  was 
appointed  on  the  death  of  the  Earl  of  Craven,  February 
5,  1884. 


556  Appendices. 

The  Deputy-Steward,  or  Recorder. 

The  Deputy-Steward,  an  officer  appointed  for  the  better 
direction   of  the   Mayor   and   other    magistrates   of  any 
city  or  town   corporate,  having  jurisdiction  and  a  court 
of  record  within  their  precincts  in   matters  of  justice,  is 
distinctly  recognised  in  the  Charter  of  Incorporation  of 
the  borough  of  Newbury,  which  directs   that  the  High 
Steward  is  authorised  to  constitute  under  his  hand,  "  one 
or  more  men  learned  in  the  law,"  to  be  the  Deputy  of 
the  said  Steward.     This  mode  of  election  continued  until 
the  passing  of  the  Municipal  Reform  Act  in  1835,  but 
this  was  again  modified  in  1882,  by  the  Municipal  Cor- 
porations Act,  which  directs  that  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
the  Queen  from  time  to  time  to  appoint  for  a  borough 
having  a   separate  court  of  quarter  sessions   a  barrister 
of  five  years  standing,  to  be  recorder  of  the  borough.     He 
shall  hold  office  during  good   behaviour.     He   shall  by 
virtue  of  his  office  be  a  justice  for  the  borough.     He  shall 
not  act  as  Recorder,  or  as  a  justice,  until  he  has  taken  the 
oaths  required  to  be  taken  by  a  borough  justice,  and  made 
before  the  mayor  or  two  other  members  of  the  council 
a  declaration  as  provided  in  the  eighth    Schedule.     He 
shall  have  precedence  in  all  places  within  the  borough 
after  the  mayor. 

Deputy-Stewards  or  Recorders  of  Newbury, 
from  1640. 

Richard  Tomlyns  was  holding  the  office  in  1640,  as  we 
gather  from  the  Court  Leet  records  of  this  date.  He  was 
the  son  and  heir  of  Edward  Tomlyns  of  Todington  in 
the  county  of  Gloucester,  and  was  admitted  at  the  Inner 
Temple  in  May,  1606,  after  which  no  more  is  recorded  of 
him  till  he  was  assigned  as  Counsel  to  assist  Bastwick 
and  Burton  in  their  complaints  of  the  cruel  sentence  pro- 
nounced against  them  in  the  Star  Chamber  in  1637.  He 
was  rewarded  for  his  exertions  by  being  appointed  Cursi- 
tor  Baron  of  the  Exchequer  in  1645,  and  kept  his  place 


Appendices.  557 

through  all  the  succeeding  changes.  He  either  died  or 
was  displaced  at  the  Restoration,  when  Thomas  Leeke, 
who  had  been  Cursitor  Baron  before  him,  resumed  his 
office.  He  married,  at  Thatcham  Church,  Nov.  2,  1614, 
Grace,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Tovye,  Vicar  of 
Thatcham. 

John  Barksdale  succeeded  to  the  office  in  1643. 

Thomas  Flexney  was  appointed  in  1646,  and  held  the 
office  until  1662. 

Robert  (?«rr«ri^  succeeded  Thomas  Flexney  in  1662. 

Thomas  Gunter  was  holding  the  office  in  1675,  but  the 
exact  date  of  his  appointment  is  uncertain.  He  was  ejected 
with  other  officials  and  members  of  the  Corporation  by  an 
Order  of  Council  bearing  date  February  10,  1687. 

Richard  Knapp,  a  nominee  of  the  Crown,  was  appointed 
February  23,  1687,  but  was  displaced  October  25,  1688, 
by  virtue  of  King  James  II.'s  Declaration  and  Procla- 
mation. 

Joseph  Cowslad  ■W3.S  appointed  in  the  year  1689. 

Richard  Cooper  succeeded  Mr.  Cowslad  in  17 10.  He 
resigned  the  Recordership  December  28,  1726. 

Richard  Pottinger  was  appointed  December  28,  1726, 
on  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Cooper. 

William  Le  Marchant  was  appointed  and  sworn  Deputy- 
Steward  or  Recorder  of  the  Borough,  September  24,  1739. 

Robert  Vansittart  was  appointed  and  sworn  to  the  due 
execution  of  the  office  of  Deputy-Steward  or  Recorder, 
July,  1764,  vice  William  Le  Marchant  resigned. 

James  Blackstone,  son  of  the  distinguished  judge  and 
commentator,  Barrister-at-Law,  and  Fellow  of  All  Souls 
College,  Oxford,  was  appointed  Recorder  on  death  of  last, 
February,  1789,  and  sworn  on  the  following  April  23. 

Charles  Dundas,  M.P.,  was  appointed  Deputy- Steward 
or  Recorder  by  the  Earl  of  Craven,  High  Steward  of  the 
Borough,  November  12,  1824,  on  resignation  of  Mr.  Black- 
stone.     Mr.  Dundas,  who  was  created  May  10,  1832,  Baron 


558         i.,i.  Appendices. 

Amesbury,  of  Kintbury-Amesbury  and  Barton  Court,  co. 
Berks,  died  June  30,  1832,  in  his  8ist  year. 

William  Whateley  was  appointed  in  succession  to  Lord 
Amesbury,  September  20,  1832,  and  re-appointed  after 
the  passing  of  the  Municipal  Corporation  Act,  July  9, 
1836.  He  became  Q.C.  in  November,  1841,  and  resigned 
the  Recordership  in  January,  1842. 

Henry  Selfe  Selfe,  Barrister-at-law,  was  appointed  in 
the  place  of  William  Whateley,  resigned,  February,  1842. 

George  Morley  Dowdeswell,  Q.C,  appointed  April  7, 
1856,  vice  H.  S.  Selfe  resigned. 

The  Town  Clerk. 

As  the  existing  Corporation  Journals  do  not  commence 
earlier  than  1676  we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  the 
names  of  those  who  iilled  this  office  for  some  years  after 
the  Incorporation  of  the  town  in  1 596.  In  a  petition  pre- 
sented to  Charles  II.  by  Gabriel  Cox,  soon  after  the 
Restoration,  the  latter  states  that 

"  shortlye  after  his  appointment  some  factious  spirits  of  the  late 
tyrant's  (Oliver  Cromwell)  faction  there,  put  him  out  of  his  Towne 
Gierke's  Office,  and  put  in  a  necessitous  person  in  his  roome,  who 
they  knew  would  better  follow  their  turn." 

He  adds  that  these 

"  combining  togeather,  gott  into  their  custody  the  ancient  register 
books,  and  ancient  deeds  of  the  Corporation,  which  said  books 
they  have  tome  and  defaced,  and  some  deeds  they  have  em- 
bezzled to  the  greate  greefe  and  discontent  of  the  petitioner," 
&c. 

The  Municipal  Corporations  Act  provides  that  the 
Council  shall  from  time  to  time  appoint  a  fit  person,  not 
a  member  of  the  Council,  to  be  the  Town  Clerk  of  the 
borough,  who  shall  hold  office  during  the  pleasure  of  the 
Council.  He  shall  have  the  charge  and  custody  of,  and 
be  responsible  for,  the  charters,  deeds,  records,  and  docu- 
ments of  the  borough,  and   they   shall   be   kept   as   the 


Appendices.  5  eg 

Council  direct.  A  vacancy  in  the  office  shall  be  filled 
within  twenty-one  days  after  its  occurrence.  In  case  of 
illness  or  absence  of  the  Town  Clerk,  the  Council  may 
appoint  a  deputy  Town  Clerk,  to  hold  office  during  their 
pleasure.  All  things  required  or  authorised  by  law  to  be 
done  by  or  to  the  Town  Clerk  may  be  done  by  or  to  the 
deputy  Town  Clerk. 

Town  Clerks  of  Newbury,  from  circa  1662. 

Gabriel  Cox  was  probably  reinstated  in'  the  office  on 
the  re-establishment  of  the  old  order  of  things  at  the 
Restoration. 

Richard  Pococke  resigned  the  office  in  August,  1676,  in 
accordance  with  an  order  passed  the  previous  March  31, 
and  was  thereupon  appointed  Senior  Attorney  of  the 
Borough  Court  of  Record.  Mr.  Pococke  was  '  disfran- 
chised '  and  put  out  of  the  Corporation  on  the  following 
January  25,  1677,  but  was  subsequently  restored  as  one  of 
the  Attorneys  of  the  Court  of  Record. 

Joseph  Garrard  was  elected  August  15,  1676,  in  the 
place  of  Pococke,  resigned,  and  admitted  and  sworn  at  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  Corporation  the  following  Sep- 
tember 21. 

Edward  Godwin  was  appointed  on  February  23,  1687, 
during  the  short  and  arbitrary  reign  of  James  II.,  when 
Joseph  Garrard,  with  other  officials  and  members  of  the 
Corporation,  were  displaced  by  an  Order  in  Council. 

Joseph  Garrard  was  re-appointed  October  25,  1688,  by 
virtue  of  King  James's  Proclamation  of  the  preceding 
October  17,  when  the  old  members  and  officials  of  the 
Corporation  who  had  been  deposed  by  the  Order  in  Coun- 
cil were  restored  to  their  offices. 

Edward  Godwin  again  obtained  the  office  October  21, 
1695,  "in  consideration  of  a  competent  sum  of  money" 
paid  by  Edward  Godwin,  with  the  consent  of  the  Corpora- 
tion, to  Joseph  Garrard,  who  thereupon  surrendered  the 


560  Appendices. 

appointment,  and  Mr.  Godwin  was  declared  duly  elected 
as  his  successor. 

John  Beale,  sen.,  elected  in  the  place  of  Edward  Godwin, 
deceased,  January  8,  1719. 

John  Beale,  jun.,  son  of  the  above,  elected  in  the  room 
of  his  father,  resigned,  September  25,  1732. 

James  Head,  elected  in  February,  1/57,  in  the  place  of 
John  Beale,  jun.,  deceased. 

Richard  Townsend,  elected  March  22,  1779,  vice  James 
Head,  resigned. 

Thomas  Townsend,  elected  September  23,  1808,  in  the 
place  of  his  father,  Richard  Townsend,  resigned. 

Robert  Baker,  elected  November,  1824,  on  death  of 
Thomas  Townsend.  Mr.  Baker  was  re-appointed  June  21, 
1836,  after  the  passing  of  the  Municipal  Corporation 
Amendment  Act,  but  subsequently  became  involved  in 
a  dispute  with  the  Corporation  concerning  a  petition  he 
presented  to  the  Court  of  Chancery  on  behalf  of  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  Municipal  Charities,  he  being  at  the  same  time 
Town  Clerk  to  the  Corporation,  who  disapproved  of  the 
scheme  proposed,  and  was  removed  from  his  office  by  an 
Order  of  the  Council,  January  18,  1838. 

Mark  Willis,  appointed  January  25,  1838. 

Robert  Baker  was  restored  to  the  office  May  3,  1842. 
He  died  April  6,  1849. 

Henry  Bunny  was  elected  April  16,  1849,  vice  Robert 
Baker,  deceased. 

Robert  Fuller  Graham  was  elected  January  2,  1854,  in 
the  place  of  Henry  Bunny. 

Henry  Burke  Godwin  was  elected  March  10,  1876,  vice 
Robert  Fuller  Graham,  deceased. 

Persons  of  Note  connected  with  Newbury. 

Ernulf  oj  Hesding,  Lord  of  Ulvritone  at  the  time  of  the 
Domesday  Survey,  founder  of  the  church  of  Newbury, 
died  at  Antioch,  circa  109S  (see  p.  40,  et  seq.). 


Appendices.  561 

William  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  the  boy-hostage 
at  the  siege  of  the  Castle  of  Newbury,  in  1152  ;  Protector 
during  minority  of  Henry  III.;  died  May,  1219  ;  buried 
in  the  Temple  Church  (see  p.  81,  et  seq.). 

Geoffrey  IV.,  Count  of  Perche,  and  the  Countess  Matilda, 
founders  of  Sandleford  Priory,  circa  1200.  Geoffrey  died 
1202  (see  pp.  62 — 64). 

Robert  Fitz-Roger.  Had  a  grant  of  the  Manor  of  New- 
bury, 1204;  died  1212-13  (see  pp.  102,  103), 

Simon  de  Montfort,  Earl  of  Leicester.  Married  the 
Countess  Dowager  of  Pembroke,  widow  of  William  Mar- 
shal the  younger;  fell  at  the  battle  of  Evesham,  1265 
(see  pp.  112,  et  seq.). 

A  certain  William  of  Newbury  became  Abbot  of  the 
great  Monastery  of  Abingdon  in  the  year  1259.  In  the 
same  abbey  at  the  same  time  was  a  certain  Robert  of  New- 
bury. During  his  tenure  of  office  the  former  twice  enter- 
tained King  Henry  III.  The  latter  seems  to  have  had 
the  confidence  of  the  Community,  since  he  was  sent  on 
an  Embassy  to  Rome.  The  following  extracts  respecting 
these  two  Abbots  from  the  Abingdon  Chronicle  supply 
all  that  is  known  of  them  : — 

"Anno  1259.  In  the  same  year  John  of  Blosmevile,  Abbot  of 
Abingdon,  died  ...  to  whom  succeeded  brother  William  of  New- 
bury, then  Warden  of  the  Holy  Trinity.  .  .  .  Immediately  after  the 
feast  of  St.  Michael  (1260),  King  Henry  came  to  Abingdon, 
where  he  was  entertained  with  honour. .  .  .  The  same  year,  about 
the  festival  of  St  Leonard  (Nov.  6),  the  Abbot  and  his  Commu- 
nity sent  William  of  the  Wick  and  Robert  of  Newbury  to  the 
Court  of  Rome,  on  certain  difficult  questions  touching  the  Church 
of  Abingdon. 

"Anno  1261.  On  the  Sunday  before  the  feast  of  St  Barna- 
bas King  Henry  came  to  Abingdon,  and  stayed  there  up  to  the 
day  of  St  Barnabas,  that  is  for  three  days,  .  .  .  William  of  the 
Wick  and  Robert  of  Newbury  returned  from  the  Court  of 
Rome,  bringing  many  privileges,  &c. 

"Anno  1262.  .  .  .  About  the  day  of  the  Invention  of  St.  Stephen 
(Aug.  3),  William,  Abbot  of  Abingdon,  made  his  resignation,  on 

O  o 


562  Appendices. 

the  Visitation  of  Giles,  Bp.  of  Salisbury,  and  received  the  Manor 
of  Tadmarton  for  his  maintenance  as  long  as  he  lived,  without 
the  advowson  of  the  said  church,  or  the  payment  of  our  pension. 
Henry  of  Frileford  succeeded  him,  being  elected  on  the  Vigil  of 
the  Assumption  (Aug.  14)  °." 

William  de  Valence,  Earl  of  Pembroke,  married  Joan, 
or  Joanna,  granddaughter  of  the  Protector  Marshal,  and 
thereby  acquired  an  interest  in  the  Manor  of  Newbury ; 
died  1296  (see  p.  I17,  et  seq). 

Roger  Bigot,  ^tk  Earl  of  Norfolk  ;  his  father,  Hugh,  3rd 
Earl,  married  Matilda,  eldest  daughter  of  the  Protector 
Marshal,  and  thus  became  possessed  of  a  moiety  of  the 
Manor  of  Newbury  ;  died  1270  (see  p.  125). 

Roger  Mortimer,  married  Maud  or  Matilda,  daughter  of 
William  de  Braose,  by  his  wife  Eva,  the  youngest  daughter 
of  the  Protector  Marshal;  died  1282  (see  pp.  116,  136, 
137)- 

Gilbert  de  Clare,  7th  Earl  of  Hertford  and  3rd  of 
Gloucester,  grandson  of  Gilbert  de  Clare,  Sth  Earl  of 
Hertford,  and  ist  of  Gloucester,  who  married  Isabella, 
daughter  of  the  Protector  Marshal ;  died  1295  (see  pp.  119, 
140,  141). 

William  Mortimer,  son  of  the  above  Roger  Mortimer ; 
died  1297  (see  pp.  135,  136). 

Edmund  Mortimer,  brother  of  the  above  William  Mor- 
timer; died  1303  (see  p.  137,  et  seq.). 

Henry  de  Lacy,  Earl  of  Lincoln,  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  William  Longespe,  Earl  of  Salisbury ;  died 
1311  (see  p.  141,  et  seq). 

Roger  Morti^ner,  son  of  Edmund,  created  Earl  of  March 
in  1328;  executed  and  attainted  1330  (see  p.  138,  et  seq). 

Roger  Mortimer,  grandson  of  the  last,  2nd  Earl  of 
March;  died  seized  of  the  Manor  of  Newbury,  1360  (see 
p.  150,  et  seq). 

Sir  Richard  Abberbury,  guardian  to  Richard  H.  in  his 

*  Chronicon  Monast.  Abendon  (Ashmole  Soc,  1844),  ed.  Halliwell,  pp. 
II— 13. 


Appendices.  563 

minority;   built  Donnington   Castle,  circa  1385   (see  pp. 
152,  153). 

Edmund  Mortimer,  3rd  Earl  of  March,  son  of  the  last 
Roger;  died  1381  (see  pp.  154,  155). 

^  Richard  Fits-Alan,  loth  Earl  of  Arundel.  By  his  mar- 
riage with  Philippa,  daughter  of  Edmund  Mortimer,  Eari 
of  March,  and  widow  of  John  de  Hastings,  Eari  of  Pem- 
broke, he  acquired  an  interest  in  the  Manor  of  Newbury  ; 
beheaded  1397  (see  pp.  158,  159). 

Roger  Mortimer,  4th  Eari  of  March,  son  of  Edmund,  3rd 
Earl,  slain  in  Ireland,  1398  (see  p.  155). 

Edmund  Mortimer,  sth  Earl  of  March,  son  of  the  last 
Earl;  died  1424  (see  pp.  169,  170). 

Richard,  Duke  of  York,  nephew  of  Edmund  Mortimer, 
5th  and  last  Earl  of  March;  slain  at  the  battle  of  Wake- 
field, 1460,  when  the  Manor  of  Newbury  came  to  the 
Crown  (see  p.  169,  et  seq.). 

Cecily,  Duchess  of  York,  mother  of  Edward  IV.,  held  the 
Manor  and  Lordship  of  Newbury  by  grant  from  her  son 
the  King,  1461.     She  died  1495  (see  p,  172). 

Henry  Stafford,  Duke  of  Buckingham,  engaged  in  an 
insurrection  against  Richard  III. ;  a  Rising  of  his  sup- 
porters at  Newbury  in  1483  (see  p.  185,  et  seq.). 

John  Winchcombe,  otherwise  "Jack  of  Newbury,"  the 
patriotic  clothier,  who  entertained  King  Henry  VIII.  and 
Queen  Katherine,  at  his  house  in  Newbury,  and  built  at 
his  cost  the  greater  part  of  the  parish  church;  died  15 19 
(see  p.  191,  et  seq.). 

Lady  Jane  Seymour,  Queen  of  Henry  VI H.  The  Manor 
of  Newbury  was  granted  to  her  by  her  husband,  the  King, 
as  part  of  her  jointure  (see  p.  189). 

Eaward  VI.,  King  of  England.  He  granted  the  Manor 
of  Newbury  to  his  sister,  the  Princess  Elizabeth,  afterwards 
Queen  (see  pp.  189,  190). 

John  Harmar,  D.D.,  Warden  of  St.  Mary's  College, 
Winchester,  and  Regius  Professor  of  Greek  in  the  Uni- 

002 


564  Appendices. 

versity  of  Oxford,  was  bom  at  Newbury  in  1553.  He 
died  September  nth,  161 3,  and  was  buried  at  the  east  end 
of  the  choir  of  New  College  Chapel,  Oxford  ^ 

Thomas  Hyde,  M.A.,  born  at  Newbury;  Head  Master 
of  St.  Mary's  College,  Winchester,  and  Fellow  of  New 
College,  Oxford;  Canon  of  Winchester,  1556.  He  died 
at  Douai,  May  9,  IS97,  and  was  buried  near  the  altar  of  St. 
Mary's  Chapel,  in  the  Church  of  St.  James  in  that  city. 

Anne,  Queen  of  James  I.  The  Manor  of  Newbury  was 
settled  on  the  Queen  as  part  of  her  jointure  and  dower,  on 
her  marriage  with  James  I.  (see  pp.  230,  231). 

Charles  I.  The  Manor  of  Newbury  descended  to 
Charles  I.  from  his  mother  (the  Queen  of  James  I.),  and 
was  by  him  granted  to  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  of 
Newbury  (see  p.  235,  et  seq). 

King  Charles  I.  was  present  at  both  the  engagements 
fought  at  Newbury  in  1643 — 1644  (see  p.  259,  et  seq.). 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Parker,  M.A.,  the  only  son  of  the 
Rev.  Robert  Parker,  a  prominent  member  of  the  Puritan 
party  in  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century.  He  was 
born  in  1596,  and  admitted  to  Magdalen  College,  Oxford, 
but  after  the  exile  of  his  father  he  removed  to  Dublin,  where 
he  continued  his  theological  studies  under  Dr.  Usher ;  from 
thence  he  went  to  Holland,  and  returning  to  England, 
settled  at  Newbury,  where  for  some  time  he  was  Master 
of  the  Grammar  School  ■=,  and  also  acted  as  Assistant,  or 
Curate,  to  Dr.  Twisse,  Rector  of  Newbury.  Like  his  father, 
he  was  not  in  sympathy  with  the  doctrines  and  discipline 
of  the  Church,  from  which  he  was  further  alienated  by  the 
rigorous  proceedings  of  the  Ecclesiastical  Courts  against 


'  The  inscription  on  his  monument  is  given  in  the  "Hist,  and  Antiq.  of 
Oxford,"  ed.  Gutch,  p.  200. 

=  On  September  i,  1620,  Mr.  Thomas  Parker,  schoolmaster  in  the  house  of 
Sir  Thomas  West,  of  Testwood,  Hants,  2nd  son  of  Thomas,  3rd  Baron  Dela- 
warr,  Governor  and  Captain-General  of  Virginia,  was  elected  Master  of  the 
Grammar  School,  Southampton,  to  vi'hich  a  Mr.  Twiste,  as  the  name  of 
Twisse  was  then  frequently  written,  had  been  appointed  in  i6io-li.  Mr. 
Parker  resigned  the  office  in  1624,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  suppose  that 
he  was  the  same  person  who  was  afterwards  Master  of  the  Newbury  Grammar 
School,  and  the  subject  of  the  above  notice. 


Appendices.  565 

the  Puritans.  He  left  England  for  America,  with  a  large 
number  of  his  co-religionists,  in  1634,  who,  upon  their 
arrival  in  New  England,  settled  first  at  Agawam  (Ipswich), 
in  the  State  of  Massachusetts.  At  this  station  they  re- 
mained about  a  year,  and  then  removed  to  Quascacunquen 
(an  Indian  name  which  the  natives  gave  to  the  neigh- 
bouring "  Falls  "),  which  they  re-named  Newbury,  in 
honour  of  their  first  Pastor  ;  and  the  beautiful  river  on 
whose  banks  they  settled  was  also  on  the  same  account 
called  "  Parker's  River,"  a  name  it  retains  to  this  day. 
The  Rev.  Thos.  Parker  continued  Pastor  of  the  first  church 
in  Newbury  until  his  death,  April  24,  1677. 

The  town  of  Newbury,  founded  by  Parker  and  his  com- 
panions, is  in  Essex  county,  Massachusetts,  31  miles  N. 
by  E.  from  Boston,  and  in  1850  had  a  population  of  4,500. 
Newbuiyport,  a  charming  and  flourishing  town,  is  seven 
miles  further  on  in  the  same  direction,  a  city,  port  of  entry, 
and  one  of  the  three  capitals  of  Essex  county.  Newbury- 
port  was  incorporated  as  a  separate  town  from  "  Ould 
Newbury,"  as  the  original  settlement  is  now  called,  in 
1764;  and  in  18 19,  West  Newbury  was  set  off  and  incor- 
porated as  a  separate  township. 

The  Rev.  James  Noyesvfd,s  a  co-assistant  at  the  Newbury 
Grammar  School  with  the  Rev.  Thos.  Parker,  and  was  the 
son  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Noyes,  Rector  of  Cholderton,  Wilts, 
to  which  living  the  latter  was  instituted  in  1602  ^  and  who 
married  a  sister  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Parker,  above  men- 
tioned. In  1634,  Mr.  Noyes  left  England  in  the  same 
ship  as  his  uncle,  the  Rev.  Thos.  Parker,  and  settled  at 
Newbury  in  America,  where  he  died  Oct.  22,  1656,  aged  48. 

Lord  Falkland.     Lucius  Gary,  Viscount  Falkland,  born 

■»  His  institution  is  thus  entered  in  the  Episcopal  Register  of  Sahsbury, 
under  the  year  1602  : — 

Church.  Patron.  Clerkus. 

E.    Choldrington     Ezedrus   Hutchins   de   Sarum    gen.     Wm.  Noyes,  p.  m. 
[that  is  now  ex  concess.  Joh'is  Thorneborough    Joh'is  Bolde. 

Cholderton].  de  Chaddesden,  Hants,  armig  cui- 

dam  Rob'  Noyes  yeoman  de  Chol- 
drington et  per  eum  predicto 
Ezedro. 


566  Appendices. 

at  Burford  about  1610.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Sir 
Henry  Gary  of  Berkhampstead  and  Aldenham,  Herts,  and 
of  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  sole  heiress  of  Sir  Lawrence 
Tanfield,  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer.  In  January, 
1 64 1 -2,  Lord  Falkland  was  sworn  of  the  Privy  Council, 
and  became  one  of  the  principal  Secretaries  of  State. 
He  followed  the  King  to  York,  fought  at  the  battle  of 
Edgehill,  and  was  at  the  siege  of  Gloucester.  At  the 
first  battle  of  Newbury  he  served  in  the  front  rank  of 
Lord  Byron's  regiment,  and  whilst  charging  the  enemy 
he  received  a  musket-shot  in  the  stomach,  and  fell  dead 
from  his  horse.  The  body  of  Falkland  was  conveyed  the 
next  morning  to  the  old  Guildhall,  and  the  following  day 
removed  to  Great  Tew,  Oxon,  and  interred  in  the  chancel 
of  the  parish  church  of  St.  Michael,  as  the  register  thus 
records: — '^  The  2^rd  day  of  September,  A.D.  1643,  The 
Right  Honoitrable  Sir  Lucius  Cary,  Knight,  Lord  Vis- 
count of  Falkland,  and  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Great  Tew, 
Was  Buried  Here." 

The  night  before  the  battle  Lord  Falkland  slept  at  the 
house  of  a  Mr.  Head,  in  Cheap-street,  and  early  next 
morning,  by  his  express  wish,  the  Sacrament  was  admin- 
istered to  him  by  Dr.  Twisse,  the  then  Rector  of  Newbury, 
when  Mr.  Head  and  the  members  of  his  family  attended 
at  Falkland's  request.  The  room  which  tradition  points 
out  as  the  scene  of  Falkland's  last  communion  is  in 
a  house  now  known  as  No.  i  Falkland-place.  (See 
pp.  255,  266,  422,  et  seq.) 

Francis  Barksdale,  M.D.,  born  at  Newbury  in  161 8, 
Fellow  of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford ;  Bursar,  1649  ;  Vice- 
President,  1650.  He  was  admitted  a  member  of  the 
Royal  College  of  Physicians  in  1656. 

William  Bew,  D.D.,  Fellow  of  New  College,  Oxford, 
was  born  at  Newbury, — his  mother  being  a  sister  of  Dr. 
Twisse.  He  was  a  staunch  loyalist,  and  served  as  Major 
in  a  regiment  of  Royal  Horse  during  the  Civil  War,  and 
subsequently  in  the  army  of  Charles  X.,  King  of  Sweden. 
At  the   Restoration   he  was   restored  to   his  Fellowship 


Appendices.  567 

at  New  College,  and  in  1679  became  Bishop  of  Llandaff. 
He  died  Feb.  10,  1705,  aged  90  years,  and  was  buried 
at  Adderbury,  Oxfordshire,  which  Vicarage  he  held  in 
commendam  with  his  bishopric. 

Rev.  Edward  Godwin,  a  Dissenting  Divine,  born  at 
Newbury  in  1695  ;  Minister  of  a  congregation  in  Little 
St.  Helen's,  London,  and  Lecturer  at  the  Weigh-House 
Chapel.  He  died  March  21st,  1764,  and  was  buried  in 
Bunhill  Fields. 

Benjamin  Avery,  LL.D.,  belonged  to  a  family  of  this 
name  long  settled  in  Newbury.  He  was  one  of  the  Phy- 
sicians of  Guy's  Hospital,  and  Treasurer  of  that  Insti- 
tution.    He  died  in  1764. 

John  Collet,  M.D.,  a  physician  of  considerable  reputa- 
tion, who  practised  at  Newbury  for  nearly  half  a  century. 
He  died  May  12th,  1780. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Montagu  was  born  in  1720,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Matthew  Robinson,  Esq.,  of  West  Layton, 
Yorkshire,  and  in  1742  married  Edward  Montagu,  Esq., 
of  Denton  Hall,  Northumberland,  and  Sandleford  Priory. 
In  1769  Mrs.  Montagu  published  "An  Essay  on  the 
Writings  and  Genius  of  Shakespeare,"  which  obtained 
a  considerable  reputation.  She  formed  the  literary  society 
known  as  the  Blue  Stocking  Club,  from  the  circumstance 
that  Dr.  Stiliingfleet  belonging  to  it  wore  stockings  of  that 
colour.  George,  Lord  Lyttleton  was  a  warm  admirer  of 
Mrs.  Montagu,  and  was  assisted  by  her  in  the  composition 
of  his  "  Dialogues  of  the  Dead."  Mrs.  Montagu  was  suc- 
ceeded in  her  ownership  of  Sandleford  Priory  by  her 
nephew  and  executor,  Matthew  Montagu,  Esq.,  M.P., 
afterwards  Lord  Rokeby,  who  published  "The  Letters 
of  Mrs.  EHzabeth  Montagu,"  4  vols.  i2mo.,  1809— 1814. 

Rev.  Thomas  Penrose,  a  poet  of  considerable  merit,  son 
of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Penrose,  Rector  of  Newbury.  He 
was  born  in  1743,  and  married  Miss  Mary  Slocock  of 
Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  the  late  Rev.  Dr. 
Penrose,  Rector  of  Writtle,  Essex,  and  of  Shaw  House, 
Berks.     He  died  at  Clifton  in  1779,  aged  36. 


568  Appendices. 

Francis  Baily,  D.C.L.  Oxf.  and  DubL,  F.R.S.,  &c., 
&c.,  was  bom  at  Newbury,  April  28,  1774.  His  father 
was  Mr.  Richard  Baily  *,  a  native  of  Thatcham,  who  be- 
came established  as  a  banker  at  Newbury.  He  married 
Miss  Sarah  Head,  by  whom  he  had  five  sons  and  two 
daughters.  Francis,  who  was  the  third  son,  received  his 
education  at  the  old  Grammar  School,  Newbury,  then 
conducted  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Best,  which  at  that  time 
had  a  considerable  reputation.  The  taste  of  Francis 
Baily  for,  and  knowledge  of,  electricity  and  chemistry  was 
probably  acquired  from  Dr.  Priestley,  with  whom  he  be- 
came intimately  acquainted,  and  went  with  him  to  Ame- 
rica. The  narrative  of  his  experiences  as  a  traveller  is 
contained  in  an  extremely  curious  "Journal  of  a  Tour  in 
Unsettled  Parts  of  North  America  in  1796  and  1797," 
edited  by  Professor  de  Morgan  in  1856,  twelve  years  after 
the  death  of  the  author. 

Returning  to  England,  he  entered  into  partnership 
with  Mr.  Whitmore  on  the  Stock  Exchange.  Soon  after 
he  produced  his  "  Tables  for  the  Purchasing  and  Renew- 
ing Leases,"  &c.,  which  passed  through  several  editions. 
He  was  also  the  author  of  several  other  works  on  kindred 
subjects  of  the  highest  value.  Astronomical  pursuits  were, 
however,  the  chief  delight  of  his  life.  He  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  the  Astronomical  Society,  and  the  author  of 
various  learned  contributions  on  Astronomical  science, 
which  are  enumerated  by  his  biographer,  Sir  John  F.  W. 
Herschell,  Bart.'  He  died  August  30,  1844,  and  an  offer 
was  made  by  the  authorities  to  inter  the  remains  of  this 
eminent  man  in  Westminster  Abbey,  but  his  friends  pre- 
ferred his  resting  with  his  father  and  mother,  in  Thatcham 
Church,  where  a  marble  tablet  is  thus  inscribed  to  his 
memory : — 

*  Richard  Baily,  father  of  the  astronomer,  was  Mayor  of  Newbury  in  1 773, 
and  he  resided  in  the  house  on  the  west  side  of  JSTorthbrook-street,  now  known 
as  "  Cambridge  House." 

'  Sir  John  F.  W.  Herschell,  the  son  of  the  great  astronomer,  Sir  William 
Herschell,  was  in  his  early  youth  a  pupil  in  the  school  kept  by  Mr.  Bull  at 
Newbury.  The  old  schoolroom  is  still  extant,  and  is  now  used  as  a  work- 
shop. It  forms  part  of  the  premises  of  Mr.  James  Edmonds,  Upholsterer, 
Northbrook  -street. 


Appendices.  569 

H.  s.  J. 

FRANCISCVS    BAILY 

LL.D  .  R.SS.  L.  ET  .  ED.  ET  .  HIB.  SOC. 

SOC.  REG.  ASTRONOMICAE  .  LONDIN  . 

PRAESES  .  ET  .  COLVMEN  . 

NATVS  .  NEWBVRIAE  .  APRIL  .  XXVIII.  M  DCC  LXXIV. 

OBIIT  .  LONDINI  .  AVGVST  .  XXX.  M  DCCC  XLIV. 

AEQVO  .  SEMPER  .  ANIMO  .  MORIBVSQVE  . 

PVRIS  .  SIMPLICIBVS  .  COMMODIS  . 

IPSE  .  BEATVS  .  CARVS  .  VIXIT  .  SVIS  . 

NEGOTIANDI  .  OLIM  .  CVRIS  .  FELICITER  .  EXPEDITVM  . 

AD  .  SVBLIMIORES  .  ASTRONOMIAE  .  CALCVLOS  . 

SVCCESSV  .  NON  .  MINVS  .  FELICI  . 

SESE  .  CONTVLISSE  .  TESTANTVR  . 

TERRA  .  EXPENSA  . 

STELLAE  .  EX  .  ORDINE  .  NVMERATAE  . 

VIS  .  GRAVITATIS  .  EMENSA  . 

MODVLVS  .  SVMMA  .  ARTE  .  DEFINITVS  . 

HVNC  .  TALEM  .  VIRVM  .  PATRIOS  .  PROPE  .  CINERES  . 

PVLVERIS  .  EXIGVI  .  COHIBET  .  MVNVS. 

James  Ebenezer  Bicheno,  F.L.S.,  Colonial  Secretary  in 
Van  Dieman's  Land,  and  a  writer  on  economic  and  scien- 
tific subjects,  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  James  Bicheno, 
Minister  of  the  Baptist  church  and  schoolmaster  at  New- 
bury, who  died  April  9,  1831,  and  was  the  author  of  seve- 
ral works.  James  Ebenezer  Bicheno  was  born  in  1785, 
and  spent  the  first  part  of  his  life  in  Newbury,  and  here 
wrote  "An  Inquiry  into  the  Nature  of  Benevolence,  chiefly 
with  the  view  to  elucidate  the  Principles  of  the  Poor 
Laws"  (London,  1817),  afterwards  republished  in  an  ex- 
tended form.  He  married  a  Miss  Lloyd,  in  1821,  but  lost 
his  wife  within  a  year.  He  was  called  to  the  Bar  by  the 
Middle  Temple,  May  17,  1822,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
chief  English  learned  societies.  In  1825  he  was  appointed 
Secretary  to  the  Linnean  Society,  which  office  he  held 
until  the  year  1832.  He  contributed  to  the  Transactions, 
as  well  as  to  those  of  other  Societies,  and  assisted  in  the 
publication  of  several  works,  of  which  Jardine  and  Selby's 
"Illustrations  of  Ornithology,"  Edinburgh,  1830,  may  be 
mentioned.    In  September,  1842,  he  was  appointed  Colo- 


5/0  Appendices. 

nial  Secretary  in  Van  Dieman's  Land,  and  fulfilled  the 
duties  of  his  office  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  whole  of  the 
colonists,  and  of  the  home  government.  He  died  at 
Hobart  Town,  February  25,  1851.  His  herbarium  is  in 
the  public  museum  at  Swansea. 

John  Painter  Vincent,  President  of  the  Royal  College 
of  Surgeons  in  1832,  and  again  in  1840,  was  born  at  New- 
bury.    He  died  in  July,  1852. 

William  Henry  Knight,  an  eminent  artist,  born  at  New- 
bury in  1823.  He  was  cut  off  in  the  full  vigour  of  his 
fame  and  reputation  at  the  early  age  of  39.  He  died 
July  31st,  1863,  and  was  buried  in  Brompton  Cemetery. 

Henry  Godwin,  F.S.A.,  born  at  Bath  in  the  year  181 1, 
and  in  1837  settled  in  Newbury.  He  was  the  author  of 
the  "  Archaeologist's  Handbook,"  "  Stonehenge,  or  the 
Romans  in  Britain,"  "The  Worthies  of  Newbury,"  and 
other  works.  He  was  co-founder  with  Silas  Palmer,  M.D., 
of  the  Newbury  District  Field  Club.  He  died  at  Speen 
Hill,  June  19th,  1874. 

Silas  Palmer,  M.D.,  F.S.A.,  well  known  for  his  devo- 
tion to  antiquarian  and  scientific  research.  He  was  born 
at  Stirling  Castle  in  1815,  and  died  at  Speenhamland, 
Newbury,  March  24th,  1875. 

Capt.  the  Hon.  J.  S.  Roe,  R.N.,  Surveyor-General  of 
Western  Australia,  son  of  the  Rev.  James  Roe,  Rector 
of  Newbury.  He  died  in  May,  1878,  aged  81,  and  as 
a  mark  of  the  appreciation  in  which  he  was  held  by  his 
brother  colonists,  the  Governor-General  directed  that  his 
remains  should  be  honoured  by  a  public  funeral.  He  was 
buried  in  Perth  Cemetery,  Australia. 

The  Right  Rev.  Hibbert  Binney,  D.D.,  the  present 
Bishop  of  Nova  Scotia  and  Prince  Edward  Island,  is  the 
son  of  the  Rev.  Hibbert  Binney,  many  years  Rector  of 
Newbury.  He  was  consecrated  to  the  See  of  Nova  Scotia 
in  1 85 1. 

See  also  in  addition  to  the  above  the  Rectors  of  Newbury, 
PP- 497— 511- 


Appendices. 


571 


The  Population  of  Newbury. 

By  a  return  made  to  Cardinal  Pole  in  1555,  when  the 
clothing  trade  was  at  its  greatest  height  in  Newbury,  it 
appears  that  the  number  of  inhabitants  was  then  1600  only. 
According  to  a  census  taken  between  October,  1767,  and 
January,  1768,  the  population  was  as  follows  : — 


Bartholomew  Street 
Northbrook  Street 
Cheap  Street 
West  Mills 


1,419 

1,176 

929 

208 


Total  inhabitants         3)732 


The  following  is  a  table  of  the  population  of  Newbury 
(exclusive  of  Speenhamland)  by  the  subsequent  census 
returns : — 


1796  . 

4,147 

I80I  . 

4,275 

I8II  . 

4,898 

I8IS  . 

5,309 

1821  . 

5,347 

I83I  . 

5,960 

I85I  . 

•  6,574 

I86I  . 

.  6,161 

I87I  . 

.  6,602 

I88I  . 

•  7,016 

The  population  comprised  within  the  area  of  the  ex- 
tended borough  is  now  about  10,000. 


Rateable  Value  of  the  Borough  of  Newbury. 


The  Rateable  Value  of  the  Borough  of  Newbury,  as  ex- 
tended by  the  Act  of  ParHament  41  and  42  Vict.  (1878), 
is  as  follows  for  the  year  1886  : — 


572  Appendices. 

Gross  rateable  Nett  rateable 

value.  value. 

£       s.  d.        £      s.    d.  ' 

Newbury 3o,499     o  9     24,518     i     6 

Added  portion  of  the  parish  of 

Speen 9,674  18  8       7,875   13     5 

Added  portion  of  the  parish  of 

Greenham      ....       5,145   10  7       4,189  17     5 

45.319  10  o     36,583   12     4 


ADDENDA  ET  CORRIGENDA. 


Page  22,  line  23  :  for  "  Evrard,"  read  Everard. 

„     41,     „      8:  for  "Gul.  Gemmel."  read  Gul.  Gemet. 

„  49  :  the  manors  mentioned  in  Domesday  as  having  churches 
are  in  excess  of  the  number  here  stated,  several  manors  and 
places  having  more  than  one  church. 

„  80,  line  10  :  William,  Earl  of  Chichester,  is  no  doubt  William 
de  Albini,  also  called  Earl  of  Sussex  and  Earl  of  Arundel. 
By  his  marriage  with  Adelicia,  Queen  Dowager  of  England 
(widow  of  King  Henry  I.),  in  1138  he  acquired  the  Castle 
and  Honour  of  Arundel,  and  became  thereby  Earl  of  Arun- 
del. In  1 139  he  gave  shelter  to  the  Empress  Matilda  at 
Arundel  Castle,  but  afterwards  adhered  to  Stephen.  He 
died  in  11 76. 

„     102,  line  9,  in  title  :  for  "  1219,''  read  1215. 

„  114,  „  14:  for  "Roger  Bigot,  Earl  of  Norfolk,  who  mar- 
ried Matilda,"  read  whose  father  married.  (See  p.  123.) 

„     116,  line  27  :  for  "  Eve,"  read  Eva. 

„     127,   „      9:  for  "o,"  read  of. 

„  128  :  There  is  another  testimony  to  King  John  being  at 
Newbury  on  Dec.  30,  1200,  from  a  Charter  Roll  (2  Joh. 
m.  18,  dorso)  relating  to  Norman  affairs,  being  dated  "  Teste 
me  ipso  apud  Neubiri  xxx  die  Decemb." 

„  130  :  A  further  piece  of  evidence  of  the  early  foundation  of 
St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital  is  the  fact  that  the  historian 
Gervase,  of  Canterbury,  in  his  Mappa  Mundi,  which  he 
must  have  compiled  soon  after  the  year  1200,  includes  it 
amongst  his  list  of  well-known  Berkshire  Hospitals.  The 
entry  is  as  follows  : — 

Hospitalia  Sancti  Johannis,  Habindune ;  Sancti  Johannis,  Walinge- 
forde  ;  Sancti  Bartholomsei,  Neuberie  '. 

„  130  :  As  regards  the  grant  of  the  fair  to  St.  Bartholomew's 
Hospital,  there  is  a  charter  to  a  similar  effect  among  the 
Charter  Rolls,  17  Joh. 

^  Gervasii  Cantuariensis  Opera  (Rolls  Series),  vol.  ii.  p.  421. 


574  Addenda  et  Corrigenda. 

Page  \i^,  lines  12,  13,  14,  in  title:  irom  "The  deadly  pesti- 
lence'' to  "  1349,"  should  follow  after  "  13 13,"  fourth  line  in 
Manorial  History. 

„  136,  line  31:  for  "Isabel,  wife  of  Llewellyn,  Prince  of 
Wales,"  read  Isabel,  wife  of  David,  son  of  Llewellyn,  Prince 
of  Wales.  (See  Pedigree,  pp.  no  and  137.) 

„  137,  lines  5,  6,  from  bottom  :  for  "Edmund  Mortimer,  her 
late  husband's  brother,"  read  her  son.  (See  Pedigree,  p.  171.) 

„  159  :  The  following  list  of  holders  of  property  in  Newbury 
in  the  fifteenth  century  is  among  the  Harleian  Manuscripts 
in  the  British  Museum.  It  is  undated,  but  as  Henry  Percy, 
Earl  of  Northumberland,  was  restored  to  the  Earldom  in 
1414,  and  Robert,  5th  Baron  Poynings,  died  in  1446,  it 
must  be  assigned  to  some  time  between  those  years : — 

Henry  Percy,  Earl  of  Northumberland,  Robert,  Lord  de  Poynings, 
John  Bohun,  Kt.,  John  Bygot,  Kt.,  Edward  Hastings,  Kt.,  William 
Tirwhit,  Thomas  Foxle,  William  Kymttun,  William  Sydeney,  John 
Lylye,  William  Home,  Richard  Pykot,  —  Molyneux '. 

„     167,  line  II,  in  contents  :  for  "  1428,"  read  H38. 

„  173  :  It  is  shewn  by  the  Patent  Roll,  4  Henry  VII.,  1489, 
that  Thomas  Fettiplace  had  the  custody  of  a  rent  in  New- 
bury, called  Souches,  i.e.  Zouches,  late  of  Thomas  Rogers,  of 
Lamborne,  deceased,  to  hold  during  the  minority  of  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  and  heir  of  the  said  Thomas  Rogers.  Given 
at  Windsor,  Aug.  18  ■=. 

„     184,  line  9,  in  notes :  for  "  1463,''  read  H6J1.. 

„     189,    „  II,  in  contents:  for  "  1533,"  read  i55<?. 

„     190,    „    14:  for  "1554,"  read  ./55^ 

„  231  :  Sir  Francis  Castillion  was  son  of  John  Baptist  Castil- 
lion,  a  Piedmontese,  who  having  been  of  service  to  Queen 
Elizabeth  in  her  troubles,  had  the  manors  of  Benham 
Valence  and  Woodspeen  granted  to  him  in  1565.  Sir 
Francis  sold  this  property  in  1630  to  the  trustees  of 
Sir  William  Craven. 

„  231 :  The  reference  to  the  grant  of  Jas.  I.  is  Addl  MS. 
p.  109  (fo.  75). 

'  Harl.  MS.  493,  a.  f.  i  b. 
■=  Pat.  Roll,  4  Hen.  VII.,  m.  2  (30). 


Addenda  et  Corrigenda.  575 

Page  231 :  The  following  letter  and  abstract,  dated  April,  1605, 
relating  to  a  proposed  improvement  or  amplification  of  the 
Charter  of  Incorporation  at  this  time  are  among  the  State 
Papers  at  the  Public  Record  Office  :— 

"To  the  right  honorable  the  lo.  Vicount  Cranbome, 
Principall  Secretary  to  his  Ma''%  the  lo.  Sydney  lo.  Cham- 
berlen  to  the  Queenes  Ma''^,  and  the  rest  of  her  Highnes 
Comissioners. 

It  may  please  yo'  bono"  and  Wo"  to  vnderstand  that 
some  xiij  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Newbery  of  nere  affinitie,  as 
brothers,  brothers  in  lawe,  and  brothers  sonnes,  whereof 
most  are  men  of  trades,  w'liout  the  assent  or  privitie  of  the 
rest  of  the  Inhabitants  there,  goe  about  to  obtaine  from  the 
Kinge  and  Queenes  Ma*'  (over  and  aboue  the  priviledges 
and  graunts  conteyned  in  their  former  Charter)  theis  thinges 
followinge  that  is  to  saie. 

The  Pickage,  tollage,  stalls  and  stallages  of  the  Towne 
w*!"  all  wayes,  straies,  fellons  goods,  p'fitts  of  the  Wasts, 
fines  forfeitures  and  amerciam''  aswell  belonginge  to  their 
Ma"  as  imposed  by  themselves  at  their  discretions. 

And  also  the  Bailiwicke  of  faire  crosse  (wherein  the  Baili- 
wicke  of  the  Manno''  of  Newbery  is  included)  Kingbury,  and 
Eagle,  to  the  Maio'  for  the  tyme  beinge  for  the  vse  of  the 
company,  w"'  all  the  p'fitts  of  the  whole  Manno'  after  the 
Queenes  Ma"  decease,  and  the  benefit  of  some  leases  in 
the  meane  t}'me,  if  they  be  expired,  or  p'sently  if  her  Ma'y 
will  graunt  them  the  same. 

And  likewise  a  p'hibition  for  all  other  officers  but  them- 
selves to  execute  anie  Writts,  or  other  busines  or  service 
whatsoever  w'Mn  the  Towne  or  lib'tes  thereof,  and  that  the 
said  thirteene  chiefest  men  may  be  exempted  from  doinge 
anie  service  elswhere. 

W*  divers  other  requests  wherein  they  include  the  whole 
p'fitts  of  the  Towne  and  Manno'  belonginge  to  their 
Ma*"  who  and  their  successo'^'  shalbe  defeated  thereby 
yearely  fiftie  pounds  at  the  least,  after  the  expirac'on  of 
certen  leases  in  beinge,  besides  the  casualties  w"^^  may  daily 
happen,  by  waies,  strayes,  fellons  goods  and  such  like  to 
the  vtter  confusion  of  all  the  Inhabitants  there,  end  espe- 
cially the  poorest  sorte  who  depend  chiefly  upon  clothinge, 


576  Addenda  et  Corrigenda. 

and  the  m'ket,  w"''  would  be  greatly  decaied,  if  they  can 
exclude  forreyners  as  they  desire  and  intend. 

Therefore  we  humbly  pray  yo'  hon^'*  and  wo"  for  better 
manifestac'on  of  the  p'misses,  to  graunt  a  Comission  vnto 
S'  ffrauncis  Knollis,  and  S'  Richard  Lovelace  knights,  and 
Thomas  Dolman  Esquier,  authorisinge  them  to  call  both 
p'ties  before  them,  and  deliberately  to  heare  their  severall 
allegac'ons,  and  after  carefull  examinac'on,  and  consider- 
ac'on  of  their  demands  and  the  p'iudice  they  intend  vnto 
the  whole  cominaltie  to  certifie  the  same,  w*!*  their  opinions 
vnto  yo'  hono"  and  wo".  And  that  their  p'ceedinges  may 
by  y"-'  ho''^^  meanes  be  stayed  in  the  meane  tyme. 

V  hono"  and  wo'°  in  all  service  to  be  comaunded 
ffrauncis  Castillian, 
Thomas  Gough, 
Her  Mats  officers 
in  that  Manno^" 

"A  breviat  of  the  thinges  desired  by  some  xiij  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  Newbery  to  be  added  to  their  Charter. 

Inprimis  the  whole  p'ish  to  be  incorporated,  and  made 
a  free  borough. 

Item  power  to  purchase  lande,  and  to  let  the  same. 

Item  the  contynuance  of  all  thinges  graunted  them  by 
their  former  Charter,  vntill  the  surrender  thereof. 

Item  a  Com'on  Seale. 

Item  thirteene  of  the  chiefest  to  be  capitall  men,  whereof 
the  Maio'  to  be  always  chosen. 

Item  Bartholomewe  Yate,  to  be  the  first  Maio"^,  and  so  to 
contynue  vntill  S'.  Mathewes  day,  and  afterwards  vntil  an- 
other be  chosen.  And  also  Henrie  Coxe,  Gabriell  Coxe 
senio',  Will'm  Camber,  John  Hunt,  Thomas  Goddard, 
Gabriell  Coxe  junior,  Henry  Yate,  Anthony  Child,  Thomas 
Batt,  Thomas  Yate,  Richard  Garner,  and  Will'm  Saunders, 
to  contynue  capitall  men  as  aforesaid  duringe  their  lives, 
except  default  be  made,  vpon  paine  of  xx^  fine. 

Item  Steward,  vnder  steward,  two  Constables,  and  vj  war- 
dens, w''^  two  Sergeants  to  attend  the  Maio"^  to  be  all 
ellected  by  them,  and  one  silver  Mace  w"'  the  Armes  of  the 
land. 

Item  power  to  impose  fines. 


Addenda  et  Corrigenda.  t^'j'j 

Item  to  make  such  lawes,  as  the  lo.  Chauncello',  lo. 
high  Tr'er,  and  the  lo.  Anderson  should  allowe  of,  to  be 
ordeined  by  the  Maio'  and  his  Companie. 

It'  authoritie  to  trye  fellons,  and  other  offences  whatso- 
ever, and  no  other  Justices  of  peace  but  themselues,  to  haue 
anie  thinge  to  doe  w^'in  the  burrough. 

Item  a  Court  everie  twesday  to  be  holden  before  the 
Maio'  or  his  Deputie,  or  three  of  the  said  Companie. 

Item  authority  to  trye  all  actions  of  what  nature  soever 
they  be  vnder  fourty  pounds. 

Item  4  Attorneys  dwellinge  w"'in  the  lib'ty  as  large  as  in 
London  to  hold  plea. 

Item  the  Maio'  to  be  Clarke  of  the  m'ket.  Coroner, 
Escheato',  execute  the  Sheriffes  authority  in  servinge  of  all 
writts,  retorninge  of  all  writts,  and  no  other  officer  to  medle 
therew"'  but  them'  selues. 

Item  two  Burgesses  of  the  Parlyam*. 

Item  that  the  said  xiij  may  be  exempted  from  servinge  in 
anie  other  service  Assizes  or  Sessions. 

Item  to  haue  Mr.  Bridges  Seale  after  the  expirac'on  of 
his  lease,  payinge  for  it  vj°  viij''  p'  ann'. 

Item  that  the  Maio'  for  the  time  beinge  may  be  bailife  of 
the  Hundrede  of  faire  crosse,  Kingbury,  and  Eagle,  w"*  all 
the  p'fitts  thereof  to  themselues,  payinge  for  it  and  the 
whole  p'fitts  of  the  Manno'  xj^  xj'  viij''  rent. 

Item  authority  to  punish  all  Idle  and  vagrant  p'sons 
what  soever. 

Item  all  the  p'fitts  of  the  Manno"^  after  the  Queenes  death 
to  come  to  them,  and  their  Successo'''  for  ever. 

Item  three  faires  and  a  pyepowder  Court  w*""  all  the  p'fitts 
hereof  to  be  kept  vpon  Assention  day,  Midsomer  day,  and 
Symon  and  Judes  day. 

Item  all  tollage,  pickage,  stalles,  and  stallages,  w""  all  the 
p'fitts  thereof  whatsoever,  as  it  was  heretofore  graunted  to 
John  Moore  and  others. 

Item  all  fines,  forfeitures,  and  amercem'»  belonginge  to 
the  Kinge  and  Queenes  Ma"  and  by  them  selues  im- 
posed. 

Item  all  wayes,  strayes,  fellons  goods,  and  all  other  for- 
feitures whatsoever  vnder  the  rent  afore  mentioned. 
Pp 


573  Addenda  et  Corrigenda. 

Item  that  no  officer  or  any  other  p'son  but  themselues 
shall  intermedle  w"'in  the  lib'ties  of  the  Towne. 

Endorsed.  Information  against  the  Townesmen 
of  Newbury  i^." 
Page  266  :  It  may  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  mention  a  story 
connected  with  Lord  Falkland,  related  by  Dr.  Welwood, 
author  of  "  Memoirs  of  England  from  1588  to  1688." 

"The  Lord  Falkland,"  he  says,  "  to  divert  the  King  when  he  was  at 
Oxford,  went  one  day  to  see  the  Bodleian  Library,  and  would  have  his 
Majesty  make  a  trial  of  his  fortune  by  the  Sortes  Virgiliana,  which 
everybody  knows  was  a  usual  kind  of  augury  some  ages  past.  Where- 
upon, the  King  opening  the  book,  the  period  which  happened  to  come 
up  was  that  part  of  Dido's  imprecation  against  ^neas  which  Mr.  Dry- 
den  translates  thus  : — 

"  '  Yet  let  a  race  untamed,  and  haughty  foes, 

His  peaceful  entrance  with  dire  arms  oppose ; 

Oppress'd  with  numbers  in  th'  unequal  field. 

His  men  discouraged,  and  himself  expelled, 

Let  him  for  succour  sue  from  place  to  place, 

Torn  from  his  subjects,  and  his  son's  embrace. 

First  let  him  see  his  friends  in  battle  slain. 

And  their  untimely  fate  lament  in  vain  ; 

And  when  at  length  the  cruel  war  shall  cease, 

On  hard  conditions  may  he  buy  his  peace  ; 

Nor  let  him  then  enjoy  supreme  command. 

But  fall  untimely  by  some  hostile  hand, 

And  lie  unburied  on  the  barren  sand '. ' 
"  It  is  said  King  Charles  seemed  concerned  at  this  accident,  and  that 
the  Lord  Falkland  observing  it,  would  likewise  try  his  own  fortune  in 
the  same  manner,  hoping  he  might  fall  upon  some  passage  that  could 
have  no  relation  to  his  case,  and  thereby  divert  the  King's  thoughts 
from  any  impression  the  other  might  have  upon  him  ;  but  the  place 
that  Falkland  stumbled  upon  was  yet  more  suited  to  his  destiny  than 
the  other  had  been  to  the  King's  ;  being  the  following  expressions  of 
Evander  upon  the  untimely  death  of  his  son  Pallas,  as  they  are  trans- 
lated by  the  same  hand  : — 

"  '  O  Pallas  !  thou  hast  fail'd  thy  plighted  word. 

To  fight  with  caution,  not  to  tempt  the  sword  : 

I  wam'd  thee,  but  in  vain  ;  for  well  I  knew 

What  perils  youthful  ardour  would  pursue  ; 

That  boiling  blood  would  carry  thee  too  far. 

Young  as  thou  wert  to  dangers,  raw  to  war  ! 

O  curst  essay  of  arms,  disastrous  doom, 

Prelude  of  bloody  fields  and  fights  to  come ' ! '  " 

^  State  Papers,  Dom.  Jas.  I.,  vol.  xiii.  Nos.  86,  86.  I. 
*  See  ^n.  iv.  615 — 620.  '  Ibid.,  xi.  152 — 157. 


Addenda  et  Corrigenda.  579 

This  anecdote  has  been  repeated  by  different  writers,  but 
on  the  sole  authority  of  Dr.  Welwood,  and  the  circumstance 
is  not  mentioned  by  any  contemporary  authority,  or  alluded 
to  in  any  work  previous  to  that  of  Dr.  Welwood,  who  wrote 
fifty-six  years  after  the  death  of  Lord  Falkland.  The  story 
may,  perhaps,  have  originated  in  the  following  occurrence, 
mentioned  by  Aubrey  in  his  "  Remains  of  Gentilism."  He 
says  that  in  December,  1648,  when  King  Charles  I.  was 
prisoner  at  Carisbrook,  or  to  be  brought  to  London  to  his 
trial,  the  Prince  of  Wales  was  at  Paris,  and  received  a  visit 
from  Mr.  Abraham  Cowley.  The  Prince  asked  him  to  play 
at  cards  with  him,  "  to  divert  his  sad  thoughts."  Mr.  Cow- 
ley replied,  "  He  did  not  care  to  play  at  cards,  but  if  his 
Highness  pleased,  they  would  use  Sortes  Virgilia7tcB."  Mr. 
Cowley  had  always  a  Virgil  in  his  pocket.  The  Prince  liked 
the  proposal,  and  pricked  a  pin  in  the  fourth  book  of  the 
^neid.  The  Prince  understood  not  Latin  well,  and  de- 
sired Mr.  Cowley  "  to  translate  the  verses,  which  he  did 
admirably  well  s."  If  this  be  the  real  foundation  of  Dr.  Wel- 
wood's  story  of  the  Sortes  Virgiliance,  it  is  clear  that  Lord 
Falkland  could  have  had  no  part  in  it ;  and  the  verses  that 
were  applicable  to  his  fate  were  ingeniously  suppHed  after 
his  death  by  some  one  who  was  struck  with  their  appli- 
cability \ 

Page  268  :  Among  the  many  petitions  presented  to  the  Protector 
Cromwell  is  one  dated  September  14,  1658,  from  divers  in- 
habitants of  St.  Botolph's  without  Aldgate,  Portsoken  Ward, 
London,  who  were  in  the  City  trained  bands,  under  Col. 
Thompson,  for  the  relief  of  Gloucester,  to  the  following 
effect : — 

"The  remnant  of  us,  who  by  God's  providence  were  preserved  in 
the  memorable  battle  of  Newbury,  have  ever  since  set  apart  the  20th  of 
September,  the  day  we  were  engaged  at  Newbury  Wash,  to  thank  the 
Lord  for  our  deliverance,  and  have  had  a  sermon  preached  till  last  year, 
when,  having  chosen  our  Lecturer  John  Simpson,  our  Minister  Zachary 
Crofton,  would  not  allow  him  to  come  into  the  pulpit,  and  we  were 
forced  to  adjourn  to  an  adjacent  parish  church.  The  said  day  being 
now  at  hand  we  beg  an  order  that  Mr.  Simpson  may  preach  at  10  a.  m., 
Mr.  Crofton  having  declared  that  Simpson  shall  not  preach  that  day 
without  your  order." — State  Papers,  Domestic  Series,  1658-59. 

K  Brand's  "Popular  Antiquities,"  vol.  iii.  p.  177- 
^  "Lives  from  the  Clarendon  Gallery,"  vol.  i.  p.  145. 

P  p  2 


580  Addenda  et  Corrigenda. 

Page  290,  line  23  :  for  "  Jacobi  muss,"  rea.(\.  Jacobi  nup. 

„     314,    „     8,  9,  in  note:  for  "the  then  Earl  of  Carnarvon," 
read  afterwards  Earl  of  Carnarvon.  (See  p.  357.) 

„     351 :  After  line  16,  insert  as  title,  Marriage  of  George  III. 

„     391,  line  5:  for  "Wednesday,  July  13,"  read  Wednesday, 
July  6. 

„  X. :  for  "Chute,  Chalmer,  Esq.,  read  Chute,  Chaloner,  Esq. 

„  xii.  :  for  "  Hedges,  Kirby  Hedges,"  read  Hedges,  J.  Kirby. 

„  xiii. :  for  "  Kirby,  Rev.  Thos.  F."  read  Kirby,  Thos.  R,  Esq. 

„  „    :  for  "  T.  Quekett  Louch,"  read  F.  Quekett  Louch. 

Additional  Names  received. 

Abbott,  Evelyn,  Esq.,  Balliol  College,  Oxford. 

Hall,  Miss  Ashley. 

Pyke,  Mr.  Jas.,  West-street,  Newbury. 

Fage  17:  The  note  as  to  "  Forbury,"  p.  17,  should  be  at  foot 
of  p.  15. 

,,  64  :  for  "  Coeur  de  Leon,"  read  Caur  de  Lion. 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


Abberbury,  Sir  Richard  de,  151, 
152,  153- 

Abingdon,  Chronicle  of  the  Monas- 
tery of,  39. 

William  and  Robert,  Ab- 
bots of,  561,  562. 

Acres,  Joseph,  Rector,  508. 

Addenda  et  Corrigenda,  573 — 580. 

Adey,  William  G.,  422,  427,  516, 552. 

Aleburn,  the  river,  60,  64. 

mill  on  the,  60,  65. 

Alen,  or  Allen,  Edmund,  Rector, 
499.  500.  501- 

America,  termination  of  the  war  with, 
360. 

Amiens,  the  Award  of,  120. 

Anne,  Queen  of  James  I.,  230,  231, 

234.  243.  244,  564- 

Queen,  327. 

Ansegisus,  Abbot  of  Fontanelle,  38. 
Anspach,    the    Margravine   of,    373, 

378,  379.  382,  385,  403.  404,  555- 

the  Margrave  of,  378,  555  ; 

funeral  of,  382,  383. 

Antonine  Itinerary,  Spina,  a  Roman 
Station  of,  4,  5,  6,  7,  16. 

Arches,  Aymer  de,  127,  144. 

Fulke,  144,  167. 

Arundel,  William  de  Albini,  Earl  of, 
also  called  Earl  of  Chichester  and 
Earl  of  Sussex,  at  the  siege  of  the 
Castle  of  Newbury,  80,  90, 95,  573. 

Arundel,  Richard,  loth  Earl  of,  158, 

159.  563- 
— — Inquisition  on  his 

death,  159. 

Archbishop,  438. 

Askew,  Thomas,  the  martyrdom  of, 

209,  210,  211,  212. 
Aston  Tirrold,  Berks,    31    note,  32, 

34,  35.  37- 
Atkins,  Rev.  J.,  LL.B.,  421. 
Aufay,  the  Priory  of,  20,  21,  22,  23, 

25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30. 
Autumn  Manoeuvres  (1872),  420,  421. 
Avery,  Benjamin,  LL.D.,  567. 

Bacon,  Capt.,  presentation  to,  401. 
Bagenor,  the  Domesday  Manor  of,  53. 
Baily,  Francis,  D.C.L.,  F.R.S.,  568, 

569. 
Baker,  Robert,  560. 


Baptist  Chapel  erected  at  Newbury, 
418. 

Baring,  FrancisGeorge, Viscount,  429. 

Barksdale,  Francis,  566. 

John,  557. 

Bath,    Roman   road  from   to    New- 
bury, 7. 

Battle,  the  Abbey  of,  24,  27. 

Battles  at  Newbury  during  the  Civil 
Wars,  259 — 2S2. 

Beale,  John,  sen.,  560. 

jun.,  560. 

Benham,  the  Domesday  Manor  of,  53. 

Valence,  117,  147,  159,  173, 

382,  403,  404. 

■  Inquisition  taken  at,  147. 


Benyon,  Richard,  Esq.,  237. 

Beorghs  or  hill-fortresses  near  New- 
bury, 3,  9,  18. 

Bernai,  Ralph  de,  26. 

Best,  Rev.  Thomas,  213. 

Bew,  William,  D.D.,  566,  567. 

Bicheno,  Jas.  Ebenezer,  569,  570. 

Bigot,  Roger,  4th  Earl  of  Norfolk, 
"4.  123,  562. 

Roger,  5th  Earl  of  Norfolk,  124. 

family,  pedigree  of,  125. 

Binney,  Hibljert,  Rector,  510. 

Bishop    of    Nova 

Scotia,  510,  570. 

Blackstone,  James,  557. 

Blanche  Nef,  the  shipwreck  of,  45. 

Blues,  the  Oxford,  305,  306. 

Bohun,  Humphrey  de,  136. 

• ■  William  de,  159. 

Bolingbroke,  Henry  St.  John,  Vis- 
count, 554. 

Boxford,  near  Newbuiy,  29,  275. 

Bradfield  St.  Clare,  Suffolk,  31  note, 

33.  34- 
Braose,  genealogy  of  the  family  of, 

137- 
Brecknock,  the  Priory  of,   a  cell  to 

Battle  Abbey,  24,  25,  27. 
Brinsop,  the  church  of,  21,  22,  25. 
Bromhead,  Thomas,  Rector,  t;02. 
Brydges,  Sir  Richard,  Knt.,  210,  211. 

Sir  John,  Knt.,  440. 

Richard,  440. 

Buckingham,  Insurrection  of  Henry 

Stafford,   Duke  of,   185,  186,   187, 

188,  563. 


S82 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Buckingham,  Edward  Stafford,  Duke 

of,  at  Newbury,  190,  19 1. 
Bullock,    Robert,    Chantry   founded 

by,  443.  444.  445.  446. 
account   of  the   family   of, 

444.  445- 

Bunny,  Henry,  560. 

Burdett,  Rev.  Clement,  Rector  of 
Englefield,  211. 

Sir  Francis  and  Lady,  fune- 
ral of,  414. 

Burghclere,  129. 

John  Wyke,  Rector  of,  181. 

Burghill,  the  church  of,  21,  22,  25. 

Cadurcis,  Patrick  de,  41,  42,  44,  45. 
or  Chaworth,  the  family  of, 

48,  72,  75.  76,  77.  78.  79- 
Cambridge,  the  Duke  and  Duchess 

of,  at  Newbury,  413. 
Cantilupe,  William  de,  136. 

Nicholas  de,  150,  152,  447. 

Carnarvon,  Robert  Dormer,  ist  Earl 

of  (1628),  255,263,  270,  423. 
Henry   Herbert,    Ist    Earl 

of  (1793).  ZlA-»ote,  357. 
Henry  George,  2nd  Earl 

of,  397- 
Henry    Howard    Moly- 

neux,  4th  Earl  of,  417,  421,  422, 

424,  427,  555- 
Elisabeth        Catherine, 

Countess  of,  424,  425. 
CaroUne,  Queen  of  George  IV.,  trial 

of.  396,  397- 
Cart's  Tail,  the,  364. 
Castillion,  Sir  Francis,  231,  574. 
■ and  others,  let-' 

ter  from  concerning  the  borough  of 

Newbury,  575,  576,  577,  578. 
Catmera(Catmore),  Adamde,  Sheriff, 

73- 
Cattle  Market  erected  at  Newbury, 

421. 
Charles  I.  grants  the  manor  of  New- 
bury to  the  Corporation,  235,  236, 

237.  564- 
and  the  two  battles  of  New- 
bury, 259 — 282. 
Charles  II.,  Charter  granted  by,  237, 

238. 

'  at  Newbury,  290. 

Charles,  Thomas,  Rector,  498. 
Charlton,  Dorset,  34,  36. 
Charter  of  Kenulf  to  Abingdon,  16. 
of  Bernard,   of  Neufmarche, 

to  Battle  Abbey,  24,  25. 

■  of  William  I.  to  St.  Peter  de 


Pratellis,  or  Pre'aux,  30,  31,  32,  57. 

of  Henry  II.  to  Preaux,  32. 

• Inspeximusof  13  Edw.  I.,  32. 

Inspeximus  of  14  Edw.  I.,  35. 


Charter  of  William  I.  to  the  Abbey 

of  Gloucester,  42. 
of  Theobald,   Archbishop  of 

Canterbury,  44. 

of  King  Stephen,  44. 

■  of  Stephen   Langton,    Arch- 


bishop of  Canterbury,  59. 

to  Bermondsey  Abbey,  80. 

■  of  Henry  II.,  attested  at  New- 


bury, 99. 

■  of  King  John  to  Robert  Fitz- 


Roger,  102,  103. 
to  Geoffrey,  son  of  King  John, 


104. 


•  of  King  John,  granting  a  fair 
to  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  130. 
■  of  William  Otuel,    Rector  of 


Shaw,  to  St.  Bartholomew's  Hos- 
pital, 131,  132. 

•  of  John  le  Frankelayn  to  St. 

Bartholomew's  Hospital,  161. 

■  of  Edmund  de  la  Bulhuse  to 


St.  Bartholomew's   Hospital,    161, 
162. 

granted    to    the    borough   of 

Newbury  by  Queen  Elizabeth,  227, 
228,  229,  347,  348. 

■  granted  by  Charles  I.,   347, 


348- 


■  granted  by  Charles  II. ,  237, 
238.  347.  348. 

granted  by  James  II.,  237, 


238,  239,  316  note,  348. 
Charters  belonging  to   the  borough 

of  Newbury  recovered,  428. 
Chelry,  John,  gift  to  the  Church  of 

Newbury  by,  179,  180. 
■  bequest  for   an   Obit, 

451.  452.  453- 

Chichester,  William,  Earl  of,  80,  573. 

Chieveley  and  Currage,  King  John 
at,  129. 

Childrey,  179  note. 

Chipping-Norton,  43  note. 

Church,  attendance  at,  301,  302,  304. 

Cirencester,  Roman  road  from  New- 
bury to,  5. 

Clare,  Gilbert  de,  temp.  Hen.  I., 
106. 

7th  Earl  of  Hert- 
ford and  3rd  of  Gloucester,  119, 
140,  141,  562. 

Alice  de 

Marshe,  wife  of,  1 19,  140. 

Joan    of 

Acre,  wife  of,  119,  141. 

Clifford,  Sir  Lewis,  Knt.,  437,  438, 
498. 

Hugh,  Rector,  498. 

Rosamond,  105,  141,  142. 

Coaching-inns  at  Newbury,  339,  340. 

at  Speenhamland,  340. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


583 


Cobbett,  William,  398,  399. 

Coldwell,  Thomas,  Rector  of  New- 
bury, 67,  502,  503. 

Collet,  John,  M.D.,  567 

Commons,  right  of  pasture  on.  III. 

Cooper,  Richard,  557. 

Corn  Exchange  erected  at  Newbury, 
418. 

Cornwall,    Richard,    Earl    of,    I09, 

113- 

Corporation,  Apparel  of,  308,  333. 

County  Court  established  at  New- 
bury, 414,  415. 

Court  Leet,  Presentments  at  the, 
252,  253,  254,  255,  256,  257,  258, 
259,  282,  283,  284,  285,  288,  289, 

290,  292,  293. 

Cowslade,  or  Cowslad,  Richard, 
Charity  founded  by,  329. 

Joseph,  557. 

Cox,  or  Coxe,  Gabriel  (Town  Clerk), 

559-  ,        ,     . 

Coxhedd's    and    Pearce  s    Chanties, 

291,  292. 

Craven,  Sir  William,  305. 

Sir  Anthony,  Knt.,  553. 

William,  1st  Earl  (1663),  314, 

553.  554- 

William,  2nd  Baron,  554. 

William,  3rd  Baron,  555. 

Fulwar,  4th  Baron,  555. 

William,  5th  Baron,  352,  555. 

William,  6th  Baron,  362,  555. 

-^ William,  istEarl(i8oi),  365, 


555- 


■  William,  2nd  Earl,  555. 

GeorgeGrimston,3rdEarI,555. 

Crookham,  Edward  II.  at,  160. 
Cross,  Margaret,  Charity  founded  at 

Newbury  by,  245. 
Crouchback,  Edmund,  son  of  Henry 

III.,  sumamed,  120. 
Cumberland,  William,  Duke  of,  334, 

335. 
Henry  Frederick,  Duke 

of,  356,  357- 

Dangerfield,    Richard,    his    Charity, 

402,  403. 
Darell,  William,  179. 
Davies,  Richard,  Rector,  509. 
Defences,  Internal,  366. 
Devizes,  84. 
Dispensary  established  at  Newbury, 

359- 
Dissenting  places  of  worship,   322, 

323,  326,  327.  329.  400.  412. 
Dolman  family,  of  Shaw,  204,  205, 

206,  327. 
Domesday   Survey,  22,   23,   25,  26, 
.  28,  29,  41,  47,  48,  49,  50,  51,  52, 

53.  54. 55.  56.  57-71.  289, 433,  573. 


Domesday  Survey,   Manors    in    the 

Hundred  of  Taceham  (Thatcham), 

50. 
the  manor  of  Ulv- 

ritone,  50,  51,  52,  54,  55,  56,  57. 
Donnington  Hospital,  151,  152. 

Priory,  15 1,  1 52. 

■  Castle,  152,  189,  273,  277, 

280,  281. 

■  messuage  and  land  at,  152. 


Dowdeswell,  George  Morley,  Q.C., 

558. 
Dundas,    Charles,   Esq.,    afterwards 

Lord   Amesbury,    374,    392,    400, 

401,  405,  557. 

Early,  Thomas,  502. 

' '  Eclipse,"  the  famous  race-horse,  335. 

Education  of  the  poor,  395,  396. 

Edward  I.,  1 18,  141. 

Edward  II.  at  Newbury,  160. 

Crookham,  160. 

Sandleford  Priory,  160. 

Highclere,  160. 

Edward  IV.,  169,  172,  173,  174. 
Edward  VI.,  189,  207,  563. 
Elizabeth,   Queen  of  England,  loi, 

189,  190,  213,  227,  230. 
Emelina,  wife  of  Emulf  de  Hesding, 

43.  44.  48.  72,  77,  79- 
Enborne,  54,  58,  263,  265,  267,  392. 

the  river,  65. 

Erlegh,  or  de  Erlega,  the  family  of, 

81,  82. 
Erlie,  or  Earley,  near  Reading,  81. 

■ John  of,  81. 

Emulf,  or  Arnulf,  de  Hesding,  31, 

33.  36,  39.  41.  42,  43.  44,  65,  433, 

560. 

manors  held  by,  41,48. 

death  of,  45. 

the  story  of  his   visit 

to  St.  Aldhelm's  tomb,  46,  47. 

■  the  Domesday  Manor 


of  Ulvritone  held  by,  50,  51,   52, 

53,  54.  55.  56.  57- 

■  the  descent  of  the  pro- 


perty of,  72,   73,  74,  75,  76.  77, 

78,  79- 
Erpingham,  Sir  Thomas,  Knt. ,  438, 

439- 

Estbury,  John  de,  and  others,  gift  of 
property  in  Newbury  to  Sandle- 
ford Priory,  149,  150,  153. 

Thomas  de,  154. 

Katherine,  widow  of  John 

de,  154. 

Esterfield,  John,  Rector,  499. 

Everington,  the  manor  of,  161  note. 

Evesham,  death  of  Simon  de  Mont- 
fort  at,  116,  119. 

Evreux,  the  archives  of,  30. 


5  84 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


Fairs  at  Newbury,  308,  309,  311,  577. 

Falkland,  Lucius  Cary,  Viscount, 
255,  264,  266,  267,  270,  565,  566, 
578,  579 ;  memorial  erected  to,, 
422,  423,  424. 

Farou,  01  Farrow,  116,  144,  180,  181. 

Matilda,  116,  181 

note. 

John  le,  144. 

Thomas  le,  182. 

Ferrers  and  Mohun  families,  pedi- 
gree of,  123. 

Fishing,  Rights   of  in  the   Kennet, 

3°5- 
Fitzalan,  William,  76. 

Richard,  158,  159,  563. 

Fitzalans,  Earls  of  Arundel,  the,  48. 

Flexney,  Thomas,  557. 

Flodden    Field — "The    Newberrie 

Archers,"  an  Old  Historical  Song, 

200,  201. 
Floods,  great,  at  Newbury,  331. 
Ford,    or  Forde,   William,    B.C.L., 

Rector,  213,  502. 
Fortibus,  William  de,  127,  128,  144. 
Fowler,  Stephen,  Rector,  506. 
Freemantle  Park,  King  John  at,  129. 
Freemasons,  the  Royal  Sussex  Lodge 

established  at  Newbury,  393. 

Gardiner,  Edward  Imber,  Rector, 
425,  427,511. 

Mrs.,  429. 

Garrard,  Robert,  557. 

Joseph,  559. 

Geffrey,  or  Jeffery,  William,  210, 
211. 

George  III.  proclaimed  King,  348 ; 
Addresses  to,  349,  350,  351,  362, 
363,  374 ;  rejoicings  on  his  re- 
covery, 362  ;  national  proclama- 
tion of,  365  ;  birthday  of  observed, 
366. 

George  IV.,  363,  374,  397,  398. 

Gervase,   Rector   of  Newbury,   434, 

435.  497- 
Giles,  Nathaniel,  Rector,  503. 
Gloucester,   Cartulary  of  the  Abbey 

of  St.  Peter  at,  41,  42,  43. 

Robert,  Earl  of,  83,  84. 

Richard,  Earl  oT,  134. 

Godwin,  Henry,  F.S.A.,  464,  570. 
— • Edward  (Town  Clerk),   559, 

560. 

Henry  Burke  (Town  Clerk), 


560. 

Rev.  Edward,  567. 

Graham,  Robert  Fuller,  560. 
Grammar  School,  the  Newbury,  212, 

213,  251,  252,  330,  331,  390,  405, 

411,  413,  414,  415,  416,  417,  419, 

421,425,  426,  427,429. 


Greenham,  53,  54,  100,  101,441. 

Preceptory  of  the  Knights 

Hospitallers  at,  98. 

■  grant    of   lands    to    the 


Knights  Hospitallers  at,  100,  loi. 
Grentmesnil,  Hugh  de,  23. 
Griffith,  Christopher,   M.P.,  gift  to 

the  poor  of  Newbury,  357. 
Gunter,  Thomas,  557. 
Gwin,  John,  the  martyrdom  of,  209, 

210,  211,  212. 

Haddiscoe,  Norfolk,  35  note,  37. 
Hampstead-Marshal,  106,  189,  263. 
. ■ mill  burnt,  385, 

386. 
Harmar,  John,  D.D.,  563,  564. 
Harold,  King  of  England,  25,  56. 
Hastings,  William  de,  147. 
Inquisition    on 

his  death,  147,  148. 

■  John  de,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 


Inquisition  on  his  death,  156. 

-  John     de,     son     of     pre- 


ceding, 156,  157. 

the   barony  determined  in 


favour  of  Sir  Jacob  Astley,  157- 
Hatherop,    Gloucestershire,   41,   42, 

44. 
Head,  James,  560. 
Hemsted,  Stephen,  jun. ,  428. 
Hendred,    East,    land    and    rent   at 

given  to  Donnington  Priory,  152. 
Henry,   Count  of  Warwick,  31,  33, 

38- 
Henry  I.,  21,  24,  32,  39,  42,  72,  75^ 

106. 
Henry  II.,  32,   33,    35,   64,   73,  99, 

105,  141. 
Henry  III.,   81,  82,   105,   107,   ill, 

113,  117,  120,  132,   133,   140;  his 

dogs  at  Newbury,  132. 
Henry  IV.,  172. 
Henry   VIII.,   189,    193,    198,    202, 

207. 
■ Catharine,    Queen   of, 

199,  200,  202. 
Herbert,  Sir  Thomas,  174,  175. 

■  the  younger,  175. 


Hon.  Robert,  314  note. 

Hon.     Henry    (afterwards 

1st  Earl  of  Carnarvon),   314  «o^^, 

357- 

Hereford,  Roger,  Earl  of,  26. 

Hesdin,  the  town  of,  in  Artois,  40. 

Walter  of,  40. 

the  Counts  of,  40  note. 

Hesding,  Ernulf  de,  31,  33,  36,  39, 
41,  42,  43,  44,  45,  46,  47,  48,  50, 
51,  52,  53,  54,  55,  56,  57,  65,  72, 

73.   74.   75.  76,  .77.  78,  79.  433. 
560. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


585 


Hesding,  Ernulf  de,  Emelina,  wife 
of,  43,  44,  48,  72,  77,  79- 

Sibil  de,  45,  78. 

Salisbury,  and  Perche  fa- 
milies, pedigree  of,  78. 

Heugleville  de,  Gilbert,  20, 22, 23, 25. 

■ Richard,  20,  22. 

Geoffrey,  20. 

Pedigree  of  the  fa- 
mily of,  23. 

Heydon,  Edward,  Rector,  446,  499. 

Hickman,  J.  F.,  417,  421,  427,  516, 

552- 
Highclere,  King  John  at,  129. 

■ Edward  II.  at,  160. 

High  Stewards  of  Newbury,  552 — 

555- 
Hillersden,  Mr.,  506. 
Hinton,  John,  Rector,  507,  508. 
Hospital  or  Preceptory  of  the  Knights 

Hospitallers,  98,  295. 
Hospital,      the     Newbury     District 

opened,  429. 
Howe's,    Lord,    victory    celebrated, 

366.  367- 

Howman,  Henry,  Rector,  501,  502. 

Humfrid  Camerarius,  the  manor  of 
Bagenor  held  by,  53. 

Humphrey  de  Vielles,  or  Vetulis, 
38,  39. 

Hundred  Rolls,  the,  117,  118,  119. 

Hungerford,  18,  168,  288. 

Jehosophat  Lucas,  Con- 
stable of,  288  note. 

Hunt,  Thomas,  Charity  of,  331,  332. 

Hyde  Abbey  Chronicle,  45. 

Thomas,  M.A.,  564. 

Icknield-way,  the,  18. 
Independent  meeting-house,  329. 

Jack   of    Newbury,   the    history   of, 

191 — 204. 
James  I.,  231,  234,  243. 
James  II.,  Charter  granted  by,  237, 

238,  239. 

allegiance  to,  305. 

• •  at  Newbury,  307. 

John,    King  of  England,    loi,   103, 

107,  129,  130. 
charter    granted    to 

the  Hospitallers  by,  loi. 

the  manor  of  New- 


bury seized  by,  102. 

grants  the  manor  of 


Newbury   to    Robert   Fitz  Roger, 

102. 
Geoffrey    Fitz-Roy, 

natural  son  of,  104,  129. 
at    Newbury,     128, 


John,    King   of   England,    at   Free- 
mantle  Park,  129. 

at     Chieveley     and 

Currage,  129. 

■ at  Woolley,  129. 

at  Bishop's  Clere,  or 

Highclere,  129. 

charter  executed  by, 


"between   Newbury   and    Abing- 
don," 130. 

■ grant  of  a  fair  to  St. 

Bartholomew's   Hospital  by,    130, 

573- 
Jubilee,theNatioDal(l8o9),  384, 385  ; 
(1887),  429,  430. 

Kempsford,  Gloucestershire,  41,  42, 

44.  72- 
Kendrick,  John,  Charity  founded  at 

Newbury  by,  97,  247,  341. 
Kenilworth,  the  Dictum  of,  120. 
Kennet,    the    river,    3,    13,    15,    16, 

18,  54.  55.  58.  97.  265,  269,  275, 

305,  355.  367.  368. 
■ the  Wooden  Bridge  over  the 

river,  245,  246. 

•  and  Avon  Canal,   367,   368, 


369.  370,  374.  375.  376. 
Kensey,  John,  executed  at  Salisbury, 

288. 
Keppel,  Admiral,  358,  359. 
Kimber,  Alderman,    346,   347,   363, 

364- 

Kingsmill,  Mr.,  of  Sandleford,  304, 
328. 

Admiral,  375. 

Knapp,  Richard,  557. 

Knight,  W.  H.,  570. 

Knights  Hospitallers  of  S_t.  John  of 
Jerusalem  at  Greenham,  98. 

■ ■ grant   of   lands 

to,  loo,  lOI. 

■ the  Order  sup- 
pressed, restored,  and  again  sup- 
pressed, loi. 

the     Prior     of, 


129,  573- 


•  the  Itinerary  of,  129. 


150. 
Kyme,  Matilda  de,  or  Vivonia,  127, 
128. 

Lacock  Abbey,  105. 

Lacy,  Henry  de.  Earl  of  Lincoln,  141, 

142,  143,  443,  562. 
In- 

quisition  on  his  death,  143,  144. 
Alice,    Countess  of  Lancaster, 

142,  143,  144,  443. 
Lamborne,  the  river,  49,  275,   276, 

277.  337- 
Langrish,  Robert,  Rector,  498. 
Laugharne,  Rev.  J.,  death  of,  374. 
Leopold,  Prince  of  Saxe-Coburg,  397. 


585 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Licences,  350,  351. 

Life-boat  designed  by   Mr.  Plenty, 

394>  395- 

Lincoln,  the  battle  of,  104. 

Henry  de  Lacy,  Earl  of,  141, 

142,  143,  443,  562. 

Lindsay,  Lady  Loyd,  428. 

London,  Trained  bands  of  the  City  of, 
261  et  seq. 

. the  anni- 
versary of  the  battle  of  Newbury 
observed  by  the  survivors  of,  579. 

Dr.  John,  212. 

Lot  Mead,  14,  451. 

],ovel.  Sir  John,  155,  168. 

Ludgershall,  84,  85,  86,  87,  104. 

Lynes,  John,  Rector,  498. 

Lynkholt,  or  Linkenholt,  Hants,  41, 
42,  43,  44. 

Maces,  tbe  Borough,  328,  329,  344. 

Machine  Riots,  405,  406,  407,  408. 

Maldon,  John,  Rector,  498. 

Mappa  Mundi,  the,  573. 

Marchant,  le,  WiUiam,  557. 

Marechal,  Guillaume  Le,  L'Histoire 
of,  80—97. 

Market  Cross,  the,  307,  312,  321, 
360,  361. 

Marlborough,  7,  86,  105,  281. 

Alfifed  of,  25,  26. 

Rockley,  near,  86  note. 

Marsh,  Newbury,  320,  356. 

Marsha,  Alice  de,  119,  140. 

Marshal,  John,  father  of  William  the 
Protector,  85,  86,  87,  95. 

William,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 

the  Protector,  81,  82,  86,  87,  95, 
96,  97,  104,  105,  106,  114,  117, 
121,  123,  124,  125,  136,  147,  561. 
William,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 


eldest  son  of  the  Protector,  81,  105, 
106,  107,  III,  112,  118. 

Richard,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 


108. 
108. 


Gilbert,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 

Anselm,  Earl  of  Pembroke, 
108,  109,  116,  117. 

■  Matilda,  dau.  of  the  Protector, 


109. 


109. 


109. 
109. 


109. 


■  Joanna,  dau.  of  the  Protector, 
-Isabella,  dau.  of  the  Protector, 

■  Sybil,  dau.  of  the  Protector, 

Eva,   dau.  of  the  Protector, 

-pedigreeof  the  family  of,  no. 
Walter,   Earl   of  Pembroke, 


Marshal,  Walter,  partition  of  his  es- 
tates, 114,  IIS,  116,  117. 
Mary,  Queen  of  England,  208. 
Mason,  John  Hawe,  426,  427,  429, 

552- 
Matilda,  Queen  of  William  I.,  31. 
• the  Empress,  82,  83,  84,  85, 

86,  87,  95,  96,  99. 
Mayor's  Feast,  323,  332,  341,  355. 
Mayors  of  Newbury,  547 — 552. 
Merriman,  Baverstock,  260  note. 
Meyer,   M.,   President  of  the  Ecole 

des  Chartes,  81. 
Military  matters  (1 760),  348  ;  (1783), 

361. 
Militia,  the  Berkshire,  345,  346. 
Local,  383,  384 

-386. 

the  Oxfordshire,  358,  359. 

■  the  Worcestershire,  359. 

■ the  Leicestershire,  359. 

the  Somerset,  359. 

. the  West  Kent,  359,  360. 

•  the  South  Devon,  366. 


Ministers'   Accounts,    extracts   from, 

440.  445-  448. 

Mohun,  William  de,  121,  122. 

partition  of  his  es- 
tates, 122. 

and  Ferrers  families,  pedigree 

of,  123. 

Money,  J.  H.,  422,  423. 

Monk's  Sherborne,  the  Prior  of,  434, 

435- 

Monmouth,  James,  Duke  of,  his  Re- 
bellion, 305. 

Montagu,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  70,  361, 
567. 

Lady  Mary  Wortley,  343. 

Montfort,  Simon  de,  112,  113,  114, 
115,  116,  119,  120,  121,  132,  561. 

• —  children  of,  120, 

121. 

Mortimer,  Roger,  116,  136,  137,  562. 

Matilda,  wife  of  Roger,  116, 

I3S>  136,  137- 
Inquisition  on  the 

death  of,  135,  136. 

William,  125,  562. 

Inquisition  on  the 


death  of,  125,  126. 

Edmund,  137,  562. 

Inquisition  on  his 


death,  137,  138. 

Roger,  1st  Earl  of  March, 


138,  139,  140,  148,  150,  562. 

Roger,  2nd  Earl  of  March, 

150,  562. 

■  Inquisition  on  the 


28,  108,  114. 


death  of,  151. 

Edmund,     3rd     Earl     of 


March,  155,  563. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


S87 


Mortimer,  Roger,  4th  Earl  of  March, 

155.  563- 
Edmund,  5th  Earl  of  March, 

169,  172,  563. 
Inquisition  on  the 

death  of,  169,  170. 

pedigree  of  the  family  of, 

171. 

Mowbray,  Robert  de,  45. 
Municipal   Corporations'    Act,    409, 
410. 

Records  of  Newbury,  239, 

240,  241. 


National  Association,  the,  321,  322. 

Defence,  375. 

Schools  erected  at  New- 
bury, 418. 

Neufmarche,  Bernard  of,  21,  22,  23, 
24>  26,  27,  28,  29,  51,  58. 

Geoffrey  of,  21,  22,  23. 

New-Bourg,  the,  16,  18,  29,  51. 

Newbury,  the  geographical  position 
of,  3- 

^— — ^  the  beorgh  or  hill-fortresses 
in  the  neighbourhood  of,  3,  9,  18. 

Roman  remains  in  and  near. 


II,  12,  15. 

the  Northcroft,  14,  356. 

C4^/<f-street,  15. 

■  the  natural  advantages  of. 


17,  18 


•  the    first    mention    of    its 
name,  20,  21. 

•  the  revenue  of,  21,  22,  55, 


66,  70. 
the   church   and   tithes   of 

given   to    Preaux,    by   Ernulf    de 

Hesding,   31,  32,  33,  34,  36,  37, 

40,  41.  54,  65. 
not  mentioned  in  Domes- 


day, 51. 
■ known  by  its  present  name 

before  the  Domesday  Survey  was 

taken,  52. 
the  mills  of,  54,  58,  60,  61, 

65,  66,  67,  104,  122,  126,  127,  138, 

144,  154,  167. 

the  parish  of,  54,  55. 

the  zii// of,  58,  131. 

the  manor  of,  65. 

the  census,  or  extent  of  the 


manor,  66. 

the  borough  of,  70. 

William  de,  73. 

the  fee-farm  of  the  manor. 


74- 


-  the  siege  of  the  Castle  of 
by  King  Stephen,  79,  80,  81,  82, 
83,  84,  85,  86,  87,  88,  89,  90,  91, 
92.  93.  94,  95.  96,  97.  98.  99- 


Newbury,    charter    to    Bermondsey 

Abbey  witnessed  at,  80. 
supposed  site  of  the  Castle 

of,  97.  98.  99.  lOo- 

King  Henry  II.  at,  99. 

Godwin  of,  100. 

the  Burgesses  of,  100. 

■  propertyheldby  theKnights 


Hospitallers  in,  100,  loi. 
the    manor    of    seized 


King  John,  102. 


by 


granted  to  Robert 
Fitz-Roger,  102,  103. 

the    Countess    of 

Perche  disseized  of,  104. 

granted  to  Geof- 
frey Fitz-Roy,  104. 

re-granted  to 

Thomas,  Earl  of  Perche,  104. 

granted  to  William 

Longespe,  Earl  of  Salisbury,  104. 

sold    to    William 


Marshal,  son  of  the  Protector,  101;. 
■  rent  in   given  to  Vital  de 


of    held    by 


Lindesey,  105,  106. 
the    manor 


Richard  Marshal,  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, 108. 

held  by  Gilbert  Mar- 
shal, Earl  of  Pembroke,  108. 

■ held  by  Walter  Mar- 
shal, Earl  of  Pembroke,  108. 

■■ given  to  Eleanor, 

Countess  of  Pembroke,  widow  of 
William  Marshal,  son  of  the  Pro- 
tector, 112. 

-  held  by  Simon  de 


Montfort  and  the  Countess  Eleanor 
his  wife,  1 14. 

■  as  described  in  the 


Hundred  Rolls,  118. 
part  of  the  mills  held  by 

William  de  Mohun  in,  122. 
property  held  by  William 

Mortimer  in,  125,  126. 

tanning  mills  in,  126,  135, 


138,  148. 
part  of  the  revenue  from  a 

mill  at  held  by  Matilda  de  Kyme, 

127. 

■ King  John  at,  128,  129. 

•  dogs  of  King  Henry   IIL 


at,  132. 


132. 


■  King  Henry  at,  132,  133. 

-  hospiiium  or  guest-house  at, 

■  tournament  at,  133,  134. 
meeting  between  the  King's 

nobles  and  Richard,  Earl  of  Glou- 
cester at,  134. 

property  held   by  Matilda 

Mortimer  in,  135,  136. 


588 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Newbury,  property  held  by  Edmund 

Mortimer  in,  138. 
■ the  manor  held  by  Roger 

Mortimer,  1st  Earl  of  March,  140. 
property    held   by   Gilbert 

de  Clare,  Earl  of  Gloucester  and 

Hertford,  in,  141. 
■ Henry   de    Lacy, 

Earl  of  Lincoln,  in,  143,  144. 
Aymer  de  Arches 


m,  127,  144. 
144.  145.  146- 


in,  147. 


■  John  le  Farou  in, 

-  Ebulo  le   Strange 

-  William  de  Hast- 


ings 1 


148,  149. 


•  the    deadly   pestilence    at, 


■  property  given  by  John  de 
Estbury  to  Sandleford  Priory  in, 
149,  150. 

the  manor  held  by  Roger 

Mortimer,  2nd  Earl  of  March,  151. 

demised  by  Roger 

Mortimer,   2nd  Earl  of  March,  to 
William,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  151. 

property     given     by     Sir 

Richard    de   Abberbury   to    Don- 
nington  Priory  at,  151,  152,  153. 

Inquisition  on  property  held 

by  Thomas  de  Rous  in,  153. 

property  held  by  Katherine, 


vpidow  of  John  de  Estbury,  in,  154. 

the  manor  held  by  Edmund 

Mortimer,  3rd  Earl  of  March,  154, 

155- 

demised  by  Ed- 
mund Mortimer  to  Sir  John  Lovel, 
155,  169. 

lands  and  tenements   held 


by  John  de  Hastings,  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, in,  156. 

Richard     la 

Zouche  in,  157,  168,  169. 

Elizabeth 


la  Zouche,  157,  158. 
Richard,  Earl 

of  Arundel,  159. 

King  Edward  II.  at,  160. 

the  "Troyte  de  Neubury," 

163,  164,  165,  i66. 
the  manor  held  by  Sir  John 

Lovel,  168. 
rent 


from  lands  and  tene- 
ments held  by  William  la  Zouche 
the  younger  in,  168. 

the  manor  held  by  Edmund 

Mortimer,  5th  Earl  of  March,  169, 
170. 

■  Richard,  Duke  of 


Newbury,  the  manor  held  by  Cecily, 

Duchess  of  York,  172. 
property  held  by  William 

Wetenhale  in,  173. 
property  held  by  Thomas 

Roger  in,  173,  174. 
the   manor   of   granted   to 

Sir  Thomas  Herbert,  174,  175. 

•  the  Bailiffs  of  the  town  of, 


176,  177. 

-  John   Chelry's  gift   to   the 


Church  of,  179,  180. 
hostelry  established  at,  180, 

181,  182. 
the  Yorkist  Rising  in  1460 

at,  182,  183,  184,  185. 
—  the  Rising  on  behalf  of  the 

Earl   of  Richmond   at,   185,   186, 

187,  188. 
the    manor     assigned     by 

Henry  VIII.  to   Lady  Jane   Sey- 
mour, 189. 
granted  by  Edward 

VI.    to    the    Princess    Elizabeth, 


grant  of  the  Tolls  from  the 

Markets,  Fairs,  &c.,  190. 

•  Edward  Stafford,  Duke  of 


Buckingham,  at,  191. 
John  Winchcombe,  or  Jack 

of,  account  of,  191 — 204. 
the  Archers  of,  an  Old  His- 


torical song,  201. 

Henry  VIII.  at,  202. 

Cardinal  Wolsey  at,  202. 

House  of  "Jack  of  New- 
bury" at,  203,  204. 

-  the  Dolman  family  of  Shaw 


and,  204,  205,  206. 

the  Blandy  family  of,  206. 

•  visit  of  the  Protector  Som- 


erset to,  206,  207. 

visit  of  Edward  VI.  to,  207. 

constables  of  the  town,  207, 

208. 


religious     prosecutions     in 

Queen  Mary's  reign  at,  208. 

Bishop  Coverdale  at,  208. 

■  the  martyrdom  of  Josceline, 


York,  172. 


or  Julius,  Palmer  and  others  at, 
209,  210,  211,  212. 

the  Grammar  School,  212, 

213.  251.  252,  330,  331,  390,  405, 
411,  413,  414,  415,  416,  417,  419, 
421,  425,  426,  427,  429. 

visit  of  Queen  Elizabeth  to, 

213,  214. 

muster  roll  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of,  214,  215. 

charter  granted  by  Queen 

Elizabeth  to  the  Borough  of,  227, 
228,  229., 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


589 


Newbury,  grant  of  the  Tolls  of  the 
Markets   and  Fairs  of,   230,   231, 

234.  235- 

survey   of  the   manor   of, 

231,  232,  233. 

•  grant  of  the  manor  by  King 


Charles  I.  to  the  Corporation,  235. 
•  petition  of  the  inhabitants 


of,  23s,  236. 

■  particulars  of  the  manor  of, 


Newbury,  the  state  of  the  streets  of, 
294,  295. 

• —  Corporation  Journals,  ex- 
tracts from,  294,  300,  301,  302, 
303,  304,  305,  306,  307,  308,  309, 
310,  311,  312,  319,  320,  321,  323, 
324.  331.  332.  333.  336,  341.  342, 
344.  345.  349,  35°.  35 1.  352,  356, 
357,  360,  361,  363,  365.  366. 

Chamberlains'  Accounts  of 


236,  237. 

■  the  Municipal  Records  of. 


239,  240,  241 
the  Weavers'  Company  of. 


242,  243,  307. 

King    James    I.    and    his 


Queen  at,  243. 

St.  Mary's  Charity,  243. 

the  Plague  at,  244. 

Robert  Cecil,  Earl  of  Salis- 


bury, at,  244. 

Anne  of  Denmark,  Queen 

of  James  I.,  at,  243,  244. 

Charities  of  Margaret  Cross 


and  others  at,  245. 

■  bridge  over  the  Kennet  at, 


245,  246. 

Kendrick's  Charity  at,  247. 

■  Dixon  and  Deale's  Charities 


at,  247,  248. 

Subsidy  Roll  of  the  town 


of,  248,  249,  250. 

Court   Leet,   Presentments 


of,  252,  253,  254,  255,  256,  257, 
258,  259—282,  283.  284,  285,  288, 
289,  290,  292,  293,  305,  307,  356. 
the   battles  of  during   the 


Civil  War,  259 — 282. 

-  Cromwell  at,  284. 


Trade  tokens  issued  at,  284, 

285,  286. 

Dutch prisonerssent  to,  286. 

visit   of   John   Evelyn    to, 

286. 

freeholders  in  (1655),  287. 

John  Kensey  of,   executed 

at  Salisbury,  288. 

Tumbrel   or   ducking-stool 

at,  288,  289. 

Charles  II.  at,  290,  291. 

visit  of  Pepys  to,  291. 

Pearce  and  Coxedd's  Char- 
ities, 291,  292. 

Quarter   Sessions,    extracts 

from  minutes,  289,  293,  295,  296, 
298,  299,  300,  301,  303,  304,  305, 
320,  321,  322,  323,  326,  327,  336, 
343,  364. 

■  Raymond's    Charity,    293, 


294. 


•  disfranchisement   of  mem- 


bers of  the  Corporation  of,  294. 


the  borough  of,  296,  297,  298,  314, 

315,  316,  317,  318,  319. 

the  prison  at,  300,  301. 

■  riot  at,  301. 

shops  in  (1685),  304. 

Merchant    Taylors'    Com- 


pany of,  306. 

•  the  Market  Cross  and  Hos- 


pital at,  307. 

■  King  James  II.  at,  307. 

fairs  at,  308,  309,  31 1,  577. 

■  Mayor  of  summoned  to  the 


Committee  of  Privy  Council,  308, 

309- 

displacement  of  the  Mayor, 

Recorder,  and  members  of  the  Cor- 
poration of,  309,  310,  311. 

• triumph  of  the  Presbyterian 

party  at,  311,  312. 

restoration    of    the    Tory 

members  of  the  Corporation  at, 
311.  312. 

William    III.    and     Mary 

proclaimed  at,  312. 

at  Newbury,  312, 

313- 
money  lent  by  the  Corpora- 
tion of,  321,  323,  324. 

■  a  member  of  the  Corpora- 


tion removed,  324. 

-  the  maces  belonging  to  the 


Corporation  of,  328,  329,  344. 

•  desire   to    enfranchise    the 


borough  of,  324,  325. 

a  coiner  at,  325. 

Queen  Anne  at,  327. 

the    "Skirmish"   at,   327, 

328. 


329- 


-  education  of  the   poor  of, 

-  the  Town  Hall  erected,  333. 
captured  treasure  conveyed 

through,  333. 

•  address  of  the  Corporation 


ofto  George  II.,  333,  334. 

pewter  plates  belonging  to 


the  Corporation  of,  335,  336. 

races  at,  336. 

cock  throwing  in  the  streets 


of,  336- 


•  the  ' '  Flying  Coach"  started 


at,  337,  338,  339- 


590 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Newbury,  the  highways  near,  337, 

338- 

stage-coaches    and    other 

public  conveyances  connected  with, 

337:  338.  339.  340,  341. 

■  prevalence  of  the  small-pox 


at,  342,  343,  358.  359- 

-  the  Corporation   Charters, 


347.  348.  352. 

licensed  houses  m,  350, 351. 

■  festivities  and  rejoicings  at, 


351.  352.  358,  360,  362,  363,  366, 
367.  378,  384.  385.  390,  391,  405. 
412,  413. 

High  Steward  of,  ceremony 


on  the  swearing  in  of,  352. 

residents  in  (1765),  353- 

bread    riot    at,    353,    354, 


355- 


■  bridge  over  the  Kennet  at 
built,  355- 

-  gift  of  Capt.  Seeley  to  the 


Corporation  of,  356. 
■ gift  of  Christopher  Griffith, 

M.P.,  to  the  poor  of,  357. 
dispensary   established   at, 

359- 

George  III.  at,  361,  363. 

Sunday-schools  established 

in,  361,  362. 

■  William,  Lord  Craven,  at, 


362. 


■  the  Prince  of  Wales,  after- 
wards George  IV.,  at,  363,  374. 

■  Kimber's  Charity  at,   363, 


364. 


■  installation  of  Lord  Craven 
as  High  Steward  of,  365,  366. 

■  provisional  force  of  volun- 


teer cavalry  and  infantry  raised  at, 

371.  372.  373—377.  378.  379.  380, 
381,  382,  383,  384,  386,  390,  401, 

403- 

. . —  non-resident  Rectors  of,  pe- 
tition respecting,  374. 

allowance  to  the  Mayor  of, 

378. 

peace    celebration    (iSoi), 

378. 


•  assemblies  at,  379. 

■  the  National  Jubilee  (1809) 


observed  at,  384,  385. 

■  the  famous  coat  made  at. 


386,  387,  388,  389. 

peace  celebration  at  (1814), 

390,  391. 

race-meetings  at,  392,  393. 

present  to  the  Corporation 

of,  393- 

Lodge  of  Freemasons  esta- 
blished at,  393. 

Mayor  of  shot  at,  393,  394. 


Newbury,  Prince  Leopold  of  Saxe- 

Coburg  at,  397. 
Coronation  of  George  IV. 

■observed  at,  397,  398. 

great  storm  at,  398. 

William  Cobbett  at,  398. 

the  Duke  of  Gloucester  at, 


399- 
400. 


-  Independent  Chape)  at  built. 


the  County  Quarter  Ses- 
sions at,  400,  401. 

the  town  first  lighted  with 

gas,  402. 


and      Speenhamland     Im- 
provement Act,  402. 

Dangerfield's    Charity    at. 


402,  403. 

■  visit  of  the  Queen  of  Por- 


tugal to,  404. 

the  old  Cloth-hall  at,  405. 

•  proclamation    of    William 


IV.  at,  405. 
erection  of  the  Workhouse 


at,  409. 


election  of  Council  under 
the  Municipal  Corporations'  Act, 
409,  410,  4H. 

•  Wesleyan   Chapel    erected 


at,  412. 

Proclamation     of     Queen 

Victoria  at,  412. 

Coronation  of  Queen  Vic- 


toria observed  at,  412,  413. 

marriage    of    Queen    Vic- 


toria observed  at,  413. 
County   Court    established 

at,  414.  415. 
opening  of  the  Berks  and 

Hants  railway  to,  415. 

Cemetery,  417. 

celebration    of   peace    at, 

417. 
the  Municipal  Charities  of, 

417,  418. 

•  erection  of  National  Schools 


at,  418. 


418. 


■  Baptist  Chapel  at, 

•  Com      Exchange 
at,  418. 

— celebration  of  the  marriage 

of  the  Prince  of  Wales  at,  419. 

mihtary  at,  420,  421. 

opening    of    new    Cattle 

Market  at,  421. 

■  Primitive  Methodist  Cha- 


pel erected  at,  421. 

■  extension  of  the   Borough 


Boundaries,  421. 

•  Municipal  Buildings  erected 


at,  422. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


591 


Newbury,  Falkland  Memorial  erected 
at,  422,  423,  424. 

first  sod  turned  of  the  rail- 
way from  Didcot  to,  424,  425. 

Clock  Tower  to  Municipal 

Buildings  at,  427. 

opening    of    the     railway 

from  Didcot  to,  427. 

Charters   of   the   Borough 


of  recovered,  428. 
Parish    Room 


428. 


erected  at. 


opening  of  the  railway  to 
Winchester  from,  428,  429. 

■  opening  of  the  new  Gram- 


mar School  at,  429. 

new    District 

Hospital  at,  429. 

■  the  Advowson  of  the  Rec- 


tory of,  433—442. 

the  Chantries,   Obits,  and 

Church  Goods,  443 — 454. 

•  History  and  Description  of 


the  Parish  Church  of,  455- 
Monumental  Inscriptions  in 

the   Church    and   Churchyard   of, 

468—496. 
Rectors  and  Officers  of  the 


Church  of,  497 — 517. 

■  Church  Records  of,  518- 


546- 


555- 


■  Mayors  of,  547 — 552. 

.  High   Stewards  of,    552— 


•  Deputy-Stewards,    or    Re- 
corders of,  556 — 55^' 

Town  Clerks  of,  558—560. 

William    and    Robert    of, 

561,  562. 

Persons  of  note  connected 


with,  560 — 570. 

Population  of,  571. 

Rateable     value     of     the 

Borough  of,  571,  572. 
owners  of  property  in  (the 

fifteenth  century),  574. 

■  letter  from  Sir  Francis  Cas- 


tillion  and  others   concerning  the 
borough  of,  575,  576,  577,  578. 

Newman,  Thomas,  Rector,  498. 

Nile,  battle  of  the,  375. 

Ninths,  Inquisition  of  the,  437. 

Norfolk,  Roger  Bigot,  4th  Earl  of, 

114,    123,    124.  ^     ^       ,         c 

5th  Earl  of, 

124. 
Northcroft,  Newbury,  14,  356. 
Noyes,  Rev.  Jas.,  565. 

Officers,  money  lent  by  the  Corpora- 
tion to,  321,  323,  324. 


Oking,     or    Ockham,     Dr.  Robert, 

212. 
Old  Street,  a  Roman  road  from  the 

Icknield-way,    or     Ridgeway,     to 

Speen,  8. 
Organist,  appointment  of,  344,  345, 

347-  „       „ 

Oxford,  84,  271,  273,  279,  280,  281. 

the  castle  of,  84,  124. 

■ the  Provisions  of,  124,  128. 

New  College,  180,  182,  206. 

Samuel  Wilberforce,   Bishop 

of,  417,  464,  466. 

-  John     Fielder     Mackarness, 


Bishop  of,  544. 

Packer,  Robert,  M.P.,  554. 

Palmer,  Josceline  or  Julius,  the  mar- 
tyrdom of,  209,  210,  211,  212. 

Dr.,  F.S.A.,  420,  570. 

Montagu  H.  C,  552. 

Parker,  Rev.  Thomas,  564,  565. 

PateshuU,  or  Pateshill,  Simon  de, 
Escheator,  103,  104. 

Martin  de, 

III,  112. 

Pearce  and  Coxhedd's  Charities,  291, 
292. 

Pembroke,  Eleanor,  Countess  of, 
112;  marries  Simon  de  Mont- 
fort,  112,  113,  120. 

Penrose,  Thomas,  Rector,  508,  509. 

. son  of  the  above 

(Poet),  567. 

Perche,  Rotrou  II. ,  Count  of,  44. 

Geoffrey  III. ,  Count  of,  44, 

51,  63. 

Rotrou  III.,  Count   of,    44, 


63.  79- 

•  Matilda,  wife  of  Rotrou  III., 


Count  of,  45. 

the  Earls,  or  Counts  of,  48. 

•  Geoffrey  IV.,  Count  of,   54, 


58,  59,  60,  61,  65,   104,  561  ;  his 
character,  62,  63  ;  his  death,  64. 
■  Matilda,  Countess  of,  58,  59, 


60,  61,  62,  63,  64,  104,  561. 

■  Pedigree   of  the   Counts   of, 


62. 


-  Thomas,  Count  of,  his  sup- 
posed tomb  at  Sandleford  Priory, 
69. 

■  the    custody   of   his 


lands,  103,  104,  105,  118. 

■  and  Salisbury  families,  pedi- 


gree of,  78. 

William,  Bishop  of  Chalons, 


Count  of,  105,  118. 

•  the  honour  of,  140. 


Persons    of    note     connected    with 
Newbury,  560—570. 


592 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Pewter  plates  belonging  to  the  Cor- 
poration, 335,  336,  548. 
Plague  at  Newbury,  244. 
Plenty,  William,  his  life-boat,  394, 

395- 
Pocock,  or  Pococke,  Richard  (Town 

Clerk),  547,  548,  559- 

Political  matters  (1794),  366. 

Postbury,  Somerset,  33  note,  34. 

Pottinger,  Richard,  557. 

PrSaux,  the  monastery  of  St.  Peter 
at,  in  Normandy,  30,  31,  32,  33, 
34.  35.37.  38.  39,  4i.  54.  65,  66, 
433.  434.  435.  43^.  437,  438- 

Cartulary  of,  30. 

Charter  of  William  I.  to,  30, 

31,  32. 

the  parish  of,  37. 

■  the  convent  of  St.  Leger  at 


Prfeux,  38. 
Presbyterian  Meeting-house,  323. 
Pretender,    Charles  Edward   Stuart, 

the  Young,  rebellion  of,  333,  334. 
Primitive  Methodist  Chapel  erected 

at  Newbury,  421. 
Proclamation  on  conclusion  of  peace 

(1782),  360. 
of  the  definitive  treaty 

of  peace  (1783),  361. 
— ■ — ■ the     national 

(1792),  365. 
Protector  Cromwell,  title  of,  287. 

Quakers,  or  Society  of  Friends,  298, 
299,  300,  303,  326,  327- 

Railway,  opening  of  the  Berks  and 
Hants,  415. 

Didcot,  Newbury,  and  South- 
ampton, 425,  428,  429. 

Randall,  James  Leslie,  Rector,  418, 
420,  462,  465,  466,  510,  511. 

Raymond's  Charity,  Newbury,  293, 
294. 

Reading,  the  Manor  of,  55. 

the   Abbey    of,    106,    434, 

435.  436- 
Recorders,    or    Deputy-Stewards    of 

Newbury,  556 — 558. 
Reform  Bill  agitation,  408,  409. 
Remigius,  Bishop  of  Dorchester,  30, 

31- 
Resurrectionists,  the,  399,  400. 
Richard  L,   King   of  England,    64, 

100. 
Rising  in  the  West,  or  Penruddock's 

Rebellion,  287,  288. 
Robberies,  320,  321. 
Robert,    Count  or  Earl   of   Mellent 

and  Leicester,  31,  32,  33,  35,  38, 

39,  51- 
Count  of  Moriton,  31,  33. 


Robert  de  Belesme,  63. 

Robinson's    and    Cross's    Charities, 

343.  344- 
Rodney,  Admiral,  360. 
Roe,  James,  Rector,  509,  510. 

Capt.  the  Hon.  J.  S.,  570. 

Roger  de  Beaumont,  31,  32,  38,  39. 

Robert  Fitz-,  I02,  103,  561. 

or  Rogers,  Thomas,  property 

held   in   Newbury  by,    173,    174, 

574- 
Roman  roads,  lines  of  the,  4, 5.6, 7,  8. 
Roman  station  of  Spines,  the,  4,  10, 

n,  16,  17,  18. 
Rous,  Thomas  de,  rent  of  assize  in 

Newbury  held  by,  153. 
Inquisition  on  his 

death,  153. 
Royal  Horse  Guards  Blue,  305,  306. 
Rudge  Farm,  Froxfield,  7  note. 


Salisbury,   Hawise,  dau.   of  Walter, 

Earl  of,  45. 
Patrick,    Earl   of,    74,    75, 

76,  77.  78,  79.  85- 

-  and  Perche,  pedigree  of  the 


families  of,  78. 
William     Longespe,    Earl 

of,  104,  105,  118,  123,  141,  142. 

■ Ela,  Countess  of,  105. 

Robert  Cecil,  Earl  of,  244. 

Sandleford,  Chapelry  of  and  Priory, 

54.  58,  59,  60,  61,  64,  65,  66,  67, 

68,  69,  70,  104,  149,  160,  361,  399, 

441,  449. 

Thomas,  Prior  of,  161. 

Sawyer,   Sir  Robert,   314   note,  315 

note. 
Saxon  settlement  on  the  Kennet,  13, 

14,  15,  l6,  17  ;  place-names,  13. 
Sayer,  Joseph,  Rector,  506,  507. 
Scotland,  Alexander,  King  of,  123. 
Selfe,  Henry  Selfe,  558. 
Sessions  at  Newbury,   extracts  from 

Minutes  (see  Quarter  Sessions). 
Seymour,  Lady  Jane,  189,  206,  207, 

563. 
Shaw,  31  note,  32,  131,  176  note. 
■ house,  the  Dolman  family  of, 

204,  205,  206,  327. 

■275,    276,    277,    278, 


290,  291,  327,  399. 
■  Mill,  354. 


Shepley,  Hugh,  Rector,  502.. 
Shottesbroke,  Berks,  29. 
Shrivenham,  the  manor  of,  118; 
Slave  Trade,  petition  against,  362. 
Smyth,  William,  Rector,  501. 
Soldier,  a  female,  married  at  New- 
bury Church,  347. 
Somerset,  the  Protector,  206,  207. 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


593 


Speen,  or  Sfene,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10, 
II,  12,  16,  18,  20,  27,  28,  29,  51, 
52,  S3,  55.  153.  173,  275,  276, 
277,  279. 

■ the   church  of,  9  ;    given  to 

Avifay,  21,  22,  58. 

Speenhamland,  153,  193,  397,  399, 
404,  406,  409,  412,  413,  414,  441. 

the    "  Bear"    Inn    at, 

317  note,  340. 

coaching-inns  at,  340. 

■  wayside  chapel  houses 


at,  364. 


•  theatre,    and    celebri- 
ties  who    have    performed   there, 

378,  379- 

•  and  Newbury  Improve- 


ment Act,  402. 
the  Obelisk    at,   364, 


pel  at,  419. 


404. 

-  Roman  Catholic  Cha- 

■St.    Mary's      Church, 

544,  545.  546- 
Spetisbury,  Dorset,  36  note,  37. 
Spina,  the  Roman  station  o^  4,  10, 

II,  16,  17,  18. 
Spone,  the  Domesday  Manor  of,  53. 
St.  Bartholomew's     Hospital,      130, 

131,  132,  160,  161,  162,  163,   177, 

178,    179,    212,    213,    215  —  227, 

365,  390,  405,  4".  414.  415.  416, 

425,  426,  427,  573. 
St  Evroult,  the  Abbey  of,   20,   21, 

23,  28. 
St.  Germain,    Hugh    de.    Sheriff   of 

Berks,  73. 
St.  John's    parish,    Newbury,     441, 

543.  544- 

Church,  Newbury,  543. 

Schools,  543,  544. 

St.  Mary's    Church,    Speenhamland, 

544.  545,  546. 

Charity,  Newbury,  243. 

St.  Nicholas,  the  Church  of,  31,  32, 

33,   34,   36,  37,  40,  41,   54,179, 
180,  203,  209,  210,  320. 
the  Advowson  of  the. 


433—442. 
443—446. 


BuUock's  Chantry  in, 
Warmington's  Chantry 


In,  446—449. 

•  Wormestall's  Chantry 


in,  449,  450,   451-  ^      , 

the     Church     Goods 


(1552),  453,  454-  ,    ^ 

■  the    architectural   fea- 


tures of,  455,  456,  457,  459,  460, 
461,  462,  463,  464. 

■  bequests       of      John 


Winchcombe  to,  457,  458,  459. 


St.  Nicholas,  the  Church  of,  restora- 
tion of,  462,  463,  464. 

■ the  stained-glass  win- 
dows in,  464,  465,  466. 

■  the  Communion  Plate 


belonging  to,  466,  467. 

the  bells  of,  467. 

■  the  clock  and  chimes 


of,  468. 


■  Monumental    Inscrip- 
tions in,  468 — 482. 

■  Hatchments    formerly 


in,  482. 


■  Inscriptions  on  Memo- 
rials in  old  Churchyard  of,  483 — 
489. 

■  Inscriptions  on  Memo- 


rials in  "New  Burial  Ground"  of, 
489—496. 

Rectors  of,  497—511. 

•  Churchwardens  of,  5 II 


-S16. 


■  Organists  of,  516,  517. 
■the  Registers  of,   518, 

Collections     in,     520, 

•  Presentments  of  the 
Churchwardens  of,  522,  523,  524, 
525,  526,  527. 

■  Extracts      from      the 


519,  520. 
521,  522. 


Churchwardens'  Accounts  of,  527 

—542- 

•  the  Charities  belong- 


ing to,  542,  543. 

Stag-hunting,  356,  357. 

Stage-coaches  and  other  public  con- 
veyances connected  with  Newbury, 

337,  338,  339,  340,  341- 
Standard,  battle  of  the,  83. 
Steam  carriages,  409. 
Stephen,   King  of  England,  44,  82, 

83,    84,    85,    95,    96,    99,    436; 

besieges   the   castle   of  Newbury, 

79,  So- 

Stockwell,  Thomas,  Charity  of,  332. 

Stone,  J.  B.,  427,  552. 

Strange,  Ebulo  le,  143,  147,  443. 

. Inquisition     on    his 

death,  147. 

Strangers,  regulations  as  to,  307, 
308. 

Stratfield-Mortimer,  Berks,  31  note, 
137,  151,  155. 

Streatley,  Roman  road  from  to  New- 
bury, 8. 

Stretton,  John,  LL.D.,  Rector,  49S. 

Sturminster,  Dorset,  31,  32. 

Marshal,   the  manor  of, 

121. 

Subsidy  Roll  of  the  town  of  New- 
bury, 248,  249,  250. 


Qq 


594 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


Taxation  of  Pope  Nicholas  IV.,  ex- 
tracts from,  37,  436. 
Taylor,  the  Rev.  W.,  322,  323. 
Taylor's  Company  of  Newbury,  306. 
Temple  Church,  106,  107. 
Testa  de  Nevill,  113,  1 14. 
Thatcham,  the  hundred  of,   50,   51, 

52- 

. the  manor  of,  52. 

the  parish  of,  441. 

Thorp,  Norfollc,  35  note,  37. 

Thurlow,  Major,  429. 

Toftes,    Norfolk,    the    manor    and 

church  of,  32,  33,  34,  35,  37. 
Tomlyns,  Richard,  556,  557. 
Town  Clerics  of  Newbury,  558—560. 
Town  Hall  erected,  333  ;  chandeliers 

for.  355.  356  ;  pictures  in  the,  357. 
Townsend,  Richard,  560. 

Thomas,  560. 

Trained  bands  of  the  City  of  London, 

261  et  seq.,  579. 
Tumbrel,  or  ducliing-stool,  288,  289. 
Turold  of  Pont  Audemer,  38. 
Twisse,    Dr.,    Rector    of   Newbury, 

236,  503.  504- 
Twynho,  Christopher,  Rector,  498. 


Ulric,  or  Wulfric,  a  Saxon  Thane,  57. 
Ulvritone,  the  Domesday  Manor  of, 

50,  51,  52,  S3.  54.  5S.  56.  57,  433- 

■  held  by  Ulward  the  King's 

Thane,  52,  56. 


Valence,  William  de.  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, 117,  133,  134,  147.  148, 
562. 

Aymer  de,  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, 148,  447. 

Valor  Ecdesiasticus,  440,  445,   447, 

449- 
Vansittart,  Robert,  557. 
Victoria,    Queen,    proclaimed,   412 ; 

coronation  of,  412,  413 ;  marriage 

of,  413- 
Vincent,  Jno.,  Painter,  570' 
Vis-de-Lu,  or  Vis-de-Lew,  Walkelin, 

26,  27,  29. 

Humphrey,  26, 


27,  28. 


Spone  held  by,  53. 


■  manor  of 
-  manor  of 


Benham  held  by,  53. 

•  the   family    of. 


26,  27  note,  28,  29. 
Vivonia   de,   pedigree  of  the  family 

of,  128. 
Volunteer  Association,  the,  371,  372, 

373- 


Volunteer  Cavalry  and  Infantry  corps 
raised  at  Newbury,  371,  372,  373, 
377.  378.  379.  380,  381,  382,  383, 
384,  386,  390,  401,  403. 

Warmington,  Warwickshire,  33  note, 

34.  497- 
Richard    de,    443,    446, 

447.  497- 
William     de,     Chantry 

founded  by,  446, 447, 448,  449, 497. 
Warren,  Admiral,  375. 
Wallingford,  84,  85,  86,  152,  279. 
Water,  Thomas,  Rector,  498. 
Waterloo,  the  battle  of,  391,  392. 
Waverley,   the  Abbot  and  Prior  of, 

434.  435- 
Wayte,  John,  Rector,  499. 
Welgrave,  or  Wargrave,  39. 
Wesleyan   chapel   erected    at   New- 
bury, 412. 
Westjjohn  and  Francis,Charity  of,330. 
Weston,   Philip,  of  Bussock  Court, 

319  note,  467. 
Wetenhale,  William,  property   held 

in  Newbury  by,  173. 
Whateley,  William,  558. 
Wheat,  high  price  of,  389. 
Wherwell  Priory,  engagement  near, 

84,  86. 
skeletons  found  near, 

84  note. 
Wigar,  land  in  Benham  held  by,  53- 
Willey,  Warwickshire,  35  note,  37. 
William  I.,  21,   27,   30,  32,   33,  35, 

42.  43.  48.  57.  65.  72.  82. 
William  II.,  21,  24,  28,  29,  47,  72. 
William  of  Malmesbury,  46. 
William  of  Corbeuil,  Archbishop  of 

Canterbury,  82. 
William,     Prince   of  Orange,    after- 
wards William  HI.,  at  Newbury, 

312,  313. 
Willis,  Mark,  560. 
Wlnchcombe,  John,  otherwise  "  Jack 

of  Newbury,"  191 — 204,  456,  563; 

his  will,  457,  458,  459. 
• John,   son   of   "  Jack   of 

Newbury,"  210,  211  note. 
Winchester,  96,  119,  207. 

the  siege  of,  84,  85. 

. Henry  de  Blois,  Bishop 

of,  96. 
College,   176,  179,   180, 

181,  182,  205,  252,  257. 
■ •  hostelry    at    Newbury 

established  by,  180,  181,  182. 
Windsor,   the  forest  of  extended  to 

Hungerford,  17,  18. 

the  manor  of,  55- 

Witham,    Somerset,   the   Carthusian 

monastery  of,  439,  440. 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


595 


Wluric  de  Watintona,  31,  33,  57.  York,   Richard,  Duke  of,   169,   170, 

Wokefield,  the  manor  of,  151,  155.  172,  183,  563. 

Wolfhamcote,  Warwickshire,  31  w^<r,       Cecily,   Duchess  of,    172,    173, 

32,  34,  36,  37.  563. 
WoUey,  Sir  John,  553. 

"Woodbridge,    Rev.    Benjamin,    441,  Zouche,  WiUiam  la,   152,   153,   157, 

504.  50s.  506.  158,  447. 

Woolley,  King  John  at,  129. Inquisition    on    death 

Wolsey,  Cardinal,  202  note,  203.  of,  157. 

Women,  flogging  of,  343.  . Richard  la,  157. 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  William 

Yeomanry    Cavalry,    see     Volunteer  la,  157,  158,  168,  169. 

Cavalry  and  Injantry.  William  la,  the  younger,  168. 


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CASTLE.      By   the   Rev.  John    Buckle,   M.A.,   Vicar    of 
St.  Mary's,  Dover.     Medium  8vo.,  cloth,  5s. 


TOPOGRAPHICAL  WORKS. 


TOPOGRAPHICAL  AND  HISTORICAL  WORKS, 

■   EELATiNa  10  OXFOBD  and  NEIGHBOUEHOOD. 


OXFOED.— THE  VISITOR'S  GUIDE  TO  OXFOED. 

With  110  Illustrations  and  a  coloured  Plan,  Post  8vo.,  in 
ornamental  wrapper,  \s, 

OXrOED.— A  HAND-BOOK   FOR    YISITOES   TO 

OXFORD.  Illustrated  by  One  Hundred  and  Forty  -  five 
Woodcuts  by  Jewitt,  and  Twenty-six  Steel  Plates  by  Le  Keux, 
and  a  new  coloured  Plan.  A  New  Edition.  8vo.,  ornamental 
cloth,  12s. 

OXrOED.— SELECTIONS  FROM  THE  RECORDS 

OF  THE  CITY  OF  OXFORD,  with  Extracts  from  other 
Documents  illustrating  the  Municipal  History:  Henry  VIII. 
to  Elizabeth,  [1509—1583].  Edited,  by  Authority  of  the  Cor- 
poration of  the  City  of  Oxford,  by  the  late  William  H.Turner, 
of  the  Bodleian  Library;'  under  tlie  direction  of  Robert  S. 
Hawkins,  late  Town  Clerk.     Royal  8vo.,  cloth,  agl  Is. 

OXFOED.— SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  WALTER 

DE  MERTON,  Lord  High  Chancellor  of  England,  and 
Bishop  of  tRochester ;  Founder  of  Merton  College.  By  Ed- 
mund, Bishop  of  Nelson,  New  Zealand  ;  late  Fellow  of  Merton 
College.       8vo.,  2s. 

OXFOEDiSHIEE,— DOMESDAY  BOOK,  or  the  Great 

Survey  of  England  of  William  the  Conqueror,  a.d.  m  lxxxvi. 
Facsimile  of  the  part  relating  to  Oxfordshire.     Folio,  cloth,  8s. 

DOEOHESTEE,  Oxon,  the  History  of.  Beitish 
Earthworks — Roman  Camp — Bishopric  ;  and  the  Archi- 
tectural History  of  the  Church,  compiled  from  the  best 
Authorities.  With  a  General  Introduction  by  the  late  J.  H. 
Parker,  C,B-i  M.A.,  F.S.A.,  Sjc.  Medium  8vo.,  cloth,  with 
Two  Plans  and  50  Woodcuts  by  O.  Jewitt,  price  10s. — Also 
separately,  the  Introduction,  and  Extracts  from  previous  Works, 
&c.,  in  wrapper,  price  4s. 

GEEAT  HASELEY,  Oxfordshire,  Some  Remarks  upon 
the  Church  of.     Second  Edition,  8vo.,  cloth,  5s. 

IFPLEY,  Oxfordshire,  A  History  of  the  Township  of. 
A  New  Edition.  By  Edward  Marshall,  M.A.,  formerly 
Fellow  of  C.C.C,  Oxford.     Ciown  8vo.,  cloth,  4s. 

OHTJEOH  ENSTONE,  Oxon,  An  Account  of  the  Town- 
ship of.    By  the  same  Author.     Crown  8vo.,  cloth,  3s. 

5 


TOPOGRAPHICAL    WORKS  (cowtimied). 

WORKING  DRAWINGS  OF  CHURCHES,  &o., 

In  the  Nbiqhbodehoob  or  Oxfoed. 

MiNSTEE  LovELL  Chtjech,  Oxfoedshiee.     Folio,  5s. 

A  very  elegantspecimenof  the  Perpendicularstyle.    To  hold  350 persons. 

LiiTLEMOEE  Chttech,  Osfoedshieb.     Secoud  Edition, 

with  the  designs  of  the  painted  Glass  Windows.     'Folio,  5s. 

A  small  modern  Church,  in  the  Early  English  style.     Size,  60  feet  by  65, 

and  40  feet  high.    Cost,  800/.    Holds  210  persons. 

Shottesbeoke  Chuech:,  Bekks.     Polio,  3*.  6d. 

A  good  and  pure  specimen  of  the  Decorated  style. 

WiLCOTE  Chtjech,  Oxeoedshiee.     Folio,  3s.  6d. 

A  small  Church  in  the  Decorated  style.    Size,  50  feet  by  20, 
Estimated  cost,  364Z.    Holds  160  persons. 

St.  Baetholomew's  Chapel,  Oxeoed.     Folio,  3*.  6d. 

A  small  Chapel  in  the  Early  Perpendicularstyle.    Size,  24  feet  by  16, 
Estimated  cost,  228?.    Holds  90  persons. 

OxFOED  Btjeiax-Geound  Chapels.     Folio,  10s.  6d. 
1.  Norman.  2.  Early  English.  3.  Decorated. 

Separately,  each  5*. 


WORKING  DRAWINGS  OF  CHURCHES,  WITH  VIEWS, 
ELEVATIONS,  SECTIONS,  AND  DETAILS. 

Puhlished  ly  tTte  Oorford  Architectural  Society. 

Waemington    Chtjech,     Noeihamptonshiee.       Eoval 

folio,  cloth,  Vis.ed. 

A  fine  thirteenth-century  Church.    About  115  feet  by  47. 

Steixton  Chtjech,  Noeihamptonshiee.     Folio,  5s. 

A  small  Church  in  the  Early  English  style.    Calculatedfor  200  persons  : 
Cost,  about  800J. 

Saint  Leonaed's,   Kiekstead,   Liscolnshiee.     Small 

folio,  5s. 

A  small  Church  in  the  Early  English  style.    42  feet  by  19. 
6 


TOPOGRAPHICAL  WORKS  [continued). 


ABINGDON.— An  Account  of  the  Brotherhood  of  the 

Holy  Cross,  aud  of  the  Hospital  of  Christ  in  Abingdon,  by 
Francis  Little,  1627..  Edited  by  C.  D.  Coeham,  B.C.L. 
Fcap.  8vo.,  cloth,  4s. 

BEEESHIEE. — Inventory  of  Furniture  and  Ornaments 
in  the  Churches  in  the  County  of  Berkshire,  in  the  last  year 
of  Edward  the  Sixth  :  Transcribed  from  the  Original  Records, 
with  Introduction  and  Explanatory  Notes  by  Walter  Money, 
F.S.A.     Crown  8vo.,  limp  cJotb,  3s. 6d. 

BICESTEE.  —  HISTORY  OF  THE  PEESENT 
DEANEEY  OF  BICESTEE,  OXON.  Compiled  by  J.  C. 
BloIbfield,  M.A.,  Rector  of  Launton,  and  Rural  Dean. 
Part  I.  84  pp.  Medium  4to.,  in  wrapper,  with  Plans  and 
Woodcuts,  5s. 

HEETEORDSHIEE.— INVENTOET  of  EIJENI- 
TURE  AND  ORNAMENTS  REMAINING  IN  ALL  THE 
PARISH  CHURCHES  OP  HERTFORDSHIRE  in  the 
last  year  of  the  Eeign  of  King  Edward  the  Sixth :  Tran- 
scribed from  the  Original  Records,  by  J.  E.  Cusbans, 
F.R.HiST.Soc.     Crown  8vo.,  limp  cloth,  4s. 

TOEK. — Memoirs  Illustrative  of  the  History  and  An- 
tiquities of  the  County  and  City  of  York.  Proceedings  of 
Archaological  Institute  at  York.  With  134  Illustrations.  8vo., 
cloth,  \Qs.  6d. 

"WINCHESTEE.— Proceedings  of  the  Archfeological 
Institute  at  Winchester  in  1845.     8vo.,  10s.  6d. 

WINCHESTEE.— Wykehamica  :  a  History  of  Win- 
chester College  and  Commoners,  from  the  Foundation  to  the 
Present  Day.  By  the  Rev.  H.  C.  ADAMS,  M.A.,  late  Fellow 
of  Magdalen  College,  Oxford.  Post  8vo.,  cloth,  508  pp.,  with 
Nineteen  Illustrations,  10s.  6d. 

HISTOEICAL  MEMOEIALS  OE  BEAUCHIEF 
ABBEY,  near  Derby.     By  S.  0.  Addt,  M.A.    4to.,  I5s. 

ST.  ASAPH.— Esgohaeth  Llanelwy.  A  History  of  the 
Diocese  of  St.  Asaph,  General,  Cathedral,  and  Parochial. 
With  Illustrations.  By  the  Rev.  D.  E.  Thomas,  M.A.,  Rector 
of  St.  Mary's,  Cefn.     8vo.,  cloth,  £1  17s.  6d. 

SCOTLAND.— Descriptive*  Notices  of  some  of  the 
Ancient  Parochial  and  Collegiate  Churches  of  Scotland, 
with  Woodcuts  by  0.  Jewitt.     8vo.,  5s. 

7 


AMCHJEOLOCHCAL  WORKS. 


THE    CALENDAE     OF    THE    PRAYEE-BOOK 

ILLUSTRATED.  (Comprising  the  first  portion  of  the 
"  Calendar  of  the  Anglican  Church,"  with  an  Appendix  on 
Emhlems,  illustrated,  enlarged,  and  corrected.)  With  upwards 
of  Two  Hundred  Engravings  from  Mediseval  Works  of  Art. 
Fcap,  8vo. ,  Sixth  Thousand,  ornamental  cloth,  6s. 

THE  TEACT  "  DE  INVENTIONE  SANCT.^ 
CRUCIS  NOSTRA  IN  "kONTE  ACUTO  ET  DE 
PtrCTIONE  EJUSDEM  APUD  WALTHAM,"  now  first 
printed  from  the  Manuscript  in  the  British  Museum,  with  In- 
troduction, (fee,  by  William  Stubes,  M.A.,  Regius  Professor 
of  Modern  History.    Royal  8vo.,  price  5s.;  Demy  8vo.,  3«.6rf. 

THE  PEIMEVAL  ANTIQUITIES  or  ENGLAND 
AND  DENMARK  COMPARED.     By  J.  J.  A.  Wo.rsaae. 
Translated  and  applied  to  the  illustration  of  similar  remains  in  • 
England,  by  W.  J.  Thoms,  F.S.A.,  &c.   With  numerous  Illus- 
trations.   Svo.,  cloth,  5s. 

AET  APPLIED  TO  INDDSTET :  A  Series  of 
Lectures  hy  the  late  William  Bitbges,  F.R.I.B.A.  Medium 
8to.,  cloth,  price  4s. 

OUE  BEITISH  ANCESTOES  :   WHO  AND  WHAT 

WERE  THEY  ?  An  Inquiry  serving  to  elucidate  the  Tradi- 
tional History  of  the  Early  Britons  by  means  of  recent  Ex- 
cavations.  Etymology,  Remnants  of  Religious  Worship,  In- 
scriptions, &c.  By  the  Rev.  Samttei  Ltsons,  M.A.,  F.S.A., 
Rector  of  Rodmarton.     Post  8vo.,  cloth,  5s. 

OUE  ENGLISH  HOME:  Its  Early  History  and 
Progress.  With  Notes  on  the  Introduction  of  Domestic 
Inventions.     Third  lEdition.     Crown  8vo.,  3«.  Gd. 


THE    GLOSSAET   OF   HEEALDET. 

{A  New  Edition  in  the  Press. 
Oxford  and  London  ;  Paekee  and  Co. 


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